HAMLET 


PRINCE 


DENMARK 


SHAKESPEARE 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

Rars  Boc-ts  Dept. 

GIFT  OF 

PROFESSOR 
LEON  J.  RICHARDSON 


University  of  California  •  Berkeley 


V\D 


.  3D3 


/O 


^<? 


J«f*f 


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Copyright 

1902 

Elbert  Hubbard 


courtiers. 


DRAMATIS  PER80NM 

Claudius,  king  of  Denmark. 

Hamlet,  son  to  the  late,  and  nephew  to  the  present  king. 

POLONius,  lord  chamberlain. 

HoBATio,  friend  to  Hamlet. 

Laertes,  son  to  Polonius. 

YOLTIMAND, 

CoEN:ELrus, 

ROSENCBANTZ, 

GUILDENSTERN, 

OSBIC, 

A  Gentleman, 

A  Priest. 

Mabcellus,    )      «. 

Bebnabdo,      ]   ''^''^''^' 

Fbakcisco,  a  soldier. 

Eeynaldo,  servant  to  Polonius. 

Players. 

Two  Clowns,  grave-diggers. 

FoBTiNBBAS,  prince  of  Norway. 

A  Captain. 

English  Ambassadors. 

Gebtbude,  queen  of  Denmark,  and  mother  to  Hamlet. 

Ophella.,  daughter  to  Polonius. 

Lords,  Ladies,  Officers,  Soldiers,  Sailors,  Messengers,  and 

other  Attendants. 
Ghost  of  Hamlet's  father. 
Scene:  Elsinore, 


m    /*!!<•      .■--  ;i»;;:: 


tihii}i 


'iOkl. 


.■f'Hilj.. 


ACT     ONE 


ACT  L     • 

SoEKE  I.  EUinore.  A  Platform  hefore  the  Castle. 

Fea^OISOO  at  his  post.  Enter  to  him  Bebitaedo. 

Bernardo.  Who  's  there? 

Francisco.  ]S"ay,  answer  me ;  stand,  and  unfold  yourself. 

Bernardo.  Long  live  the  king! 

Francisco.  Bernardo? 

Bernardo.  He. 

Francisco.  Tou  come  most  carefully  upon  your  hour. 

Bernardo.  'T  is  now  struck  twelve;  get  thee  to  bed, 

Francisco. 
Francisco.  For  this  relief  much  thanks;  't  is  bitter  cold, 
And  I  am  sick  at  heart. 
Bernardo.  Have  you  had  quiet  guard? 
Francisco.  Not  a  mouse  stirring. 

Bernardo.  Well,  good  night. 
If  you  do  meet  Horatio  and  Marcellus, 
The  rivals  of  my  watch,  bid  them  make  haste. 
Francisco.  I  think  I  hear  them. — Stand,  hoi  Who  is 

there? 

Enter  Hoeatio  and  Maeoellus. 

Horatio.  Friends  to  this  ground. 

Marcellus.  And  liegemen  to  the  Dane. 

Francisco.  Give  you  good  night. 

MarceTlm.  O,  farewell,  honest  soldier: 

[1] 


Act  I  HAMiiET,  Prince  of  Denmark  Seene  I 

Wlio  hath  relieved  you? 

Francisco,  Bernardo  has  my  place. 

Give  you  good  night.  [Exit 

Marcellm.  Holla!  Bernardo! 

Bernardo.  Say, — 

What,  is  Horatio  there? 

Horatio.  A  piece  of  him. 

Bernardo.  Welcome,  Horatio;  welcome,  good Marcellus. 

Marcellm.  What,  has  this  thing  appeared  again  to-night? 

Bernardo.  I  have  seen  nothing. 

Marcellus.  Horatio  says  't  is  but  our  fantasy. 

And  will  not  let  belief  take  hold  of  him 

Touching  this  dreaded  sight,  twice  seen  of  us; 

Therefore  I  have  entreated  him  along  "^ 

With  us  to  watch  the  minutes  of  this  night. 

That  if  again  this  apparition  come. 

He  may  approve  our  eyes  and  speak  to  it. 

Horatio.  Tush,  tush,  't  will  not  appear. 

Bernardo.  Sit  down  awhile; 

And  let  us  once  again  assail  your  ears. 

That  are  so  fortified  against  our  story. 

What  we  two  nights  have  seen. 

Horatio.  Well,  sit  we  down. 

And  let  us  hear  Bernardo  speak  of  this. 

Bernardo.  Last  night  of  all, 

When  yon  same  star  that  's  westward  from  the  pole 

Had  made  his  course  to  illume  that  part  of  heaven 

Where  now  it  burns,  Marcellus  and  myself, 

[2] 


Act  I  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Scene  I 

The  bell  then  beating  one, — 

Enter  Ghost. 

MarceUus.  Peace,  break  thee  off;  look,  where  it  comes 

again ! 
Bernardo.  In  the  same  figure,  like  the  king  that 's  dead. 
MarceUus.  Thou  art  a  scholar;  speak  to  it,  Horatio. 
Bernardo.  Looks  it  not  like  the  king?  mark  it,  Horatio. 
Horatio.  Most  like;  it  harrows  me  with  fear  &  wonder. 
Bernardo.  It  would  be  spoke  to. 

MarceUus.  Question  it,  Horatio. 

Horatio.  What  art  thou  that  usurp'st  this  time  of  night, 
Together  with  that  fair  and  warlike  form 
In  which  the  majesty  of  buried  Denmark 
Did  sometimes  march?  by  heaven  I  charge  thee,  speak! 
MarceUus.  It  is  offended. 
Bernardo.  See,  it  stalks  awayl 

Horatio.  Stay!  speak,  speak!  I  charge  thee,  speak! 

[Exit  Ghost. 
MarceUus.  'T  is  gone,  and  will  not  answer. 
Bernardo.  How  now,  Horatio!  you  tremble  &  look  pale; 
Is  not  this  something  more  than  fantasy? 
What  think  you  on  't? 

Horatio.  Before  my  God,  I  might  not  this  believe 
Without  the  sensible  and  true  avouch 
Of  mine  own  eyes. 

MarceUus.  Is  it  not  like  the  king? 

Horatio.  As  thou  art  to  thyself: 

[3] 


Act  I  Hamlet,  Prince  of  DEisivfAKK  Scene  I 

Such  was  the  very  armour  he  had  on  i 

When  he  the  ambitious  !N^orway  combated; 

So  frown'd  he  once,  when,  in  an  angry  parle, 

He  smote  the  sledded  Polacks  on  the  ice. 

'T  is  strange. 

Marcellus.  Thus  twice  before,  &  jump  at  this  dead  hour, 

With  martial  stalk  hath  he  gone  by  our  watch. 

Horatio.  In  what  particular  thought  to  work  I  know  not ; 

But  in  the  gross  and  scope  of  my  opinion, 

This  bodes  some  strange  eruption  to  our  state. 

MarceUus,  Good  now,  sit  down,  &  tell  me,  he  that  knows. 

Why  this  same  strict  and  most  observant  watch 

So  nightly  toils  the  subject  of  the  land. 

And  why  such  daily  cast  of  brazen  cannon, 

And  foreign  mart  for  implements  of  war; 

Why  such  impress  of  shipwrights,  whose  sore  task 

Does  not  divide  the  Sunday  from  the  week;  i 

What  might  be  toward,  that  this  sweaty  haste  A 

Doth  make  the  night  joint-labourer  with  the  day: 

Who  is  't  that  can  inform  me? 

Horatio.  That  can  I;  \ 

At  least,  the  whisper  goes  so.  Our  last  king,  ^ 

Whose  image  even  but  now  appear'd  to  us, 

Was,  as  you  know,  by  Fortinbras  of  l^orway, 

Thereto  prick'd  on  by  a  most  emulate  pride, 

Dar'd  to  the  combat;  in  which  our  valiant  Hamlet —  ^ 

For  so  this  side  of  our  known  world  esteemed  him — 

Did  slay  this  Fortinbras ;  who,  by  a  seal'd  compact, 

[4] 


Act  I  Hamlet,  Prince  op  Denmark  Scene  I 

Well  ratified  by  law  and  heraldry, 

Did  forfeit,  with  his  life,  all  those  his  lands 

Which  he  stood  seized  of,  to  the  conqueror: 

Against  the  which  a  moiety  competent 

Was  gaged  by  our  king;  which  had  returned 

To  the  inheritance  of  Fortinbras, 

Had  he  been  vanquisher;  as,  by  the  same  covenant 

And  carriage  of  the  article  designed. 

His  fell  to  Hamlet.  Now,  sir,  young  Fortinbras, 

Of  unimproved  mettle  hot  and  full, 

Hath  in  the  skirts  of  IS'orway  here  and  there 

Shark'd  up  a  list  of  lawless  resolutes, 

For  food  and  diet,  to  some  enterprise 

That  hath  a  stomach  in  't;  which  is  no  other — 

As  it  doth  well  appear  unto  our  state — 

But  to  recover  of  us,  by  strong  hand 

And  terms  compulsative,  those  foresaid  lands 

So  by  his  father  lost:  and  this,  I  take  it, 

Is  the  main  motive  of  our  preparations, 

The  source  of  this  our  watch,  and  the  chief  head 

Of  this  post-haste  and  romage  in  the  land. 

Bernardo.  I  think  it  be  no  other  but  e'en  so. 

Well  may  it  sort  that  this  portentous  figure 

Comes  armed  through  our  watch,  so  like  the  king 

That  was  and  is  the  question  of  these  wars. 

Horatio,  A  mote  it  is  to  trouble  the  mind's  eye. 

In  the  most  high  and  palmy  state  of  Eome, 

A  little  ere  the  mightiest  Julius  fell, 

[5] 


Act  I  Hamlet,  Pruktce  of  Denmark  Scene  I 

The  graves  stood  tenantless,  and  the  sheeted  dead 
Did  squeak  and  gibber  in  the  Eoman  streets: 
As  stars  with  trains  of  fire  and  dews  of  blood, 
Disasters  in  the  sun;  and  the  moist  star 
Upon  whose  influence  I^eptune's  empire  stands 
Was  sick  ahnost  to  doomsday  with  eclipse: 
And  even  the  like  precurse  of  fierce  events, 
As  harbingers  preceding  still  the  fates 
And  prologue  to  the  omen  coming  on. 
Have  heaven  and  earth  together  demonstrated 
Unto  our  climatures  and  countrymen. — 
But  soft,  behold!  lo,  where  it  comes  again  I 

Be-enter  Ghost. 

I  '11  cross  it,  though  it  blast  me. — Stay,  illusion! 

If  thou  hast  any  sound,  or  use  of  voice. 

Speak  to  me; 

If  there  be  any  good  thing  to  be  done, 

That  may  to  thee  do  ease  and  grace  to  me. 

Speak  to  me; 

If  thou  art  privy  to  thy  country's  fate. 

Which,  happily,  foreknowing  may  avoid, 

O,  speak! 

Or  if  thou  hast  uphoarded  in  thy  life 

Extorted  treasure  in  the  womb  of  earth, 

For  which,  they  say,  you  spirits  oft  walk  in  death, 

Hifnll  'Ui  r  [The  code  crows. 

Speak  of  it; — stay,  and  speak! — Stop  it,  Marcellus. 

[6] 


Act  I  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Scene  I 

MarceUus.  Shall  I  strike  at  it  with  my  partisan? 

Horatio.  Do,  if  it  will  not  stand. 

Bernardo.  'T  is  here! 

Horatio.  'T  is  here! 

MarceUm.  'T  is  gone!  [Eocit  Ghost. 

We  do  it  wrong,  being  so  majestical, 

To  offer  it  the  show  of  violence; 

For  it  is,  as  the  air,  invulnerable, 

And  our  vain  blows  malicious  mockery. 

Bernardo.  It  was  about  to  speak,  when  the  cock  crew. 

Horatio.  And  then  it  started  like  a  guilty  thing 

Upon  a  fearful  summons.  I  have  heard, 

The  cock,  that  is  the  trumpet  to  the  mom, 

Doth  with  his  lofty  and  sMll-sounding  throat 

Awake  the  god  of  day;  and  at  his  warning, 

Whether  in  sea  or  fire,  in  earth  or  air, 

The  extravagant  and  erring  spirit  hies 

To  his  confine:  and  of  the  truth  herein 

This  present  object  made  probation. 

MarceUus.  It  faded  on  the  crowing  of  the  cock. 

Some  say  that  ever  'gainst  that  season  comes 

Wherein  our  Saviour's  birth  is  celebrated, 

The  bird  of  dawning  singeth  all  night  long; 

And  then,  they  say,  no  spirit  can  walk  abroad, 

The  nights  are  wholesome,  then  no  planets  strike, 

No  fairy  takes,  nor  witch  hath  power  to  charm, 

So  hallow'd  and  so  gracious  is  the  time. 

Horatio.  So  have  I  heard  and  do  in  part  believe  it. 

[7] 


Act  I  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Seme  II 

But,  look,  the  morn,  in  russet  mantle  clad. 

Walks  o'er  the  dew  of  yon  high  eastern  hill. 

Break  we  our  watch  up;  and,  by  my  advice. 

Let  us  impart  what  we  have  seen  to-night 

Unto  young  Hamlet;  for,  upon  my  life. 

This  spirit,  dumb  to  us,  will  speak  to  him. 

Do  you  consent  we  shall  acquaint  him  with  it, 

As  needful  in  our  loves,  fitting  our  duty? 

Marcellm.  Let  's  do  't,  I  pray;  &  I  this  morning  know 

Where  we  shall  find  him  most  conveniently.     [Exeunt. 

Scene  II.  A  Boom  of  State  in  the  Castle. 

Enter  the  King,  Queen,  Hamlet,  Polonius,  Laertes, 
YoLTiMAND,  CoENELius,  Lords,  and  Attendants. 

King.  Though  yet  of  Hamlet  our  dear  brother's  death 

The  memory  be  green,  and  that  it  us  befitted 

To  bear  our  hearts  in  grief,  and  our  whole  kingdom 

To  be  contracted  in  one  brow  of  woe, 

Tet  so  far  hath  discretion  fought  with  nature 

That  we  with  wisest  sorrow  think  on  him. 

Together  with  remembrance  of  ourselves. 

Therefore  our  sometime  sister,  now  our  queen, 

The  imperial  jointress  of  this  warlike  state, 

Have  we,  as  't  were  with  a  defeated  joy, — 

With  one  auspicious  and  one  dropping  eye. 

With  mirth  in  funeral  and  with  dirge  in  marriage, 

In  equal  scale  weighing  delight  and  dole, — 

[8] 


Act  I  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Scene  II 

Taken  to  wife;  nor  have  we  herein  barr'd 

Your  better  wisdoms,  which  have  freely  gone 

With  this  affair  along.  For  all,  our  thanks. 

I^ow  follows,  that  you  know,  young  Fortinbras, 

Holding  a  weak  supposal  of  our  worth. 

Or  thinking  by  our  late  dear  brother's  death 

Our  state  to  be  disjoint  and  out  of  frame, 

Colleagued  with  the  dream  of  his  advantage. 

He  hath  not  fail'd  to  pester  us  with  message, 

Importing  the  surrender  of  those  lands 

Lost  by  his  father,  with  all  bonds  of  law, 

To  our  most  valiant  brother.  So  much  for  him. 

Now  for  ourself,  and  for  this  time  of  meeting. 

Thus  much  the  business  is:  we  have  here  writ 

To  IS^orway,  uncle  of  young  Fortinbras, — 

Who,  impotent  and  bed-rid,  scarcely  hears 

Of  this  his  nephew's  purpose, — ^to  suppress 

His  further  gait  herein;  in  that  the  levies. 

The  lists,  and  full  proportions,  are  all  made 

Out  of  his  subject;  and  we  here  dispatch 

You,  good  Cornelius,  and  you,  Yoltimand, 

For  bearers  of  this  greeting  to  old  IN^orway, 

Giving  to  you  no  further  personal  power 

To  business  with  the  king  more  than  the  scope 

Of  these  dilated  articles  allow. 

Farewell,  and  let  your  haste  commend  your  duty. 

Gof*neLtu8     / 

TT  1^'       .7  ^  In  that  &  all  things  will  we  show  our  duty. 

Voltimand,  ) 

[9] 


Act  I  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmabk  Scene  II 

King.  We  doubt  it  nothing;  heartily  farewell. — 

[Exeunt  Voltimand  and  Cornelius, 
And  now,  Laertes,  what  's  the  news  with  you? 
You  told  us  of  some  suit;  what  is  't,  Laertes? 
Ton  cannot  speak  of  reason  to  the  Dane, 
And  lose  your  voice;  what  wouldst  thou  beg,  Laertes, 
That  shall  not  be  my  offer,  not  thy  asking? 
The  head  is  not  more  natiye  to  the  heart, 
The  hand  more  instrumental  to  the  mouth. 
Than  is  the  throne  of  Denmark  to  thy  father. 
What  wouldst  thou  have,  Laertes? 
Laertes.  Dread  my  lord, 

Tour  leave  and  favour  to  return  to  France; 
From  whence  though  willingly  I  came  to  Denmark, 
To  show  my  duty  in  your  coronation, 
Yet  now,  I  must  confess,  that  duty  done. 
My  thoughts  and  wishes  bend  again  toward  France, 
And  bow  them  to  your  gracious  leave  and  pardon. 
King.  Have  you  your  father's  leave? — What  says  Polo- 

nius  ? 
Polonius.  He  hath,  my  lord,  wrung  from  me  my  slow 

leave 
By  laboursome  petition,  and  at  last 
Upon  his  will  I  seaVd  my  hard  consent; 
I  do  beseech  you,  give  him  leave  to  go. 
King.  Take  thy  fair  hour,  Laertes;  time  be  thine. 
And  thy  best  graces  spend  it  at  thy  will! — 
But  now,  my  cousin  Hamlet,  and  my  son, — 

[10] 


Aet  I  Hamlet,  Prince  op  Denmark  Scene  II 

Hamlet  [Aside']  A  little  more  than  kin,  and  less  than 

kind. 
King.  How  is  it  that  the  clouds  still  hang  on  you? 
Hamlet.  Not  so,  my  lord;  I  am  too  much  i'  the  sun. 
Queen.  Good  Hamlet,  cast  thy  nighted  colour  oflf. 
And  let  thine  eye  look  like  a  friend  on  Denmark. 
Do  not  for  ever  with  thy  vailed  lids 
Seek  for  thy  noble  father  in  the  dust. 
Thou  know'st  't  is  common;  all  that  lives  must  die, 
Passing  through  nature  to  eternity. 
Hamlet.  Ay,  madam,  it  is  common. 
Queen.  If  it  be. 

Why  seems  it  so  particular  with  thee? 
Hamlet.  Seems,  madam !  nay,  it  is ;  I  know  not  'seems.' 
'T  is  not  alone  my  inky  cloak,  good  mother, 
Nor  customary  suits  of  solemn  black, 
Nor  windy  suspiration  of  forc'd  breath, 
No,  nor  the  fruitftd  river  in  the  eye. 
Nor  the  dejected  haviour  of  the  visage, 
Together  with  all  forms,  moods,  shows  of  grief. 
That  can  denote  me  truly;  these  indeed  seem, 
For  they  are  actions  that  a  man  might  play: 
But  I  have  that  within  which  passeth  show; 
These  but  the  trappings  and  the  suits  of  woe. 
King.  'T  is  sweet  and  commendable  in  your  nature, 

Hamlet, 
To  give  these  mourning  duties  to  your  father: 
But,  you  must  know,  your  father  lost  a  father; 

[11] 


Act  I  Hamlet,  Prince  op  Deistmabk  Scene  II 

That  father  lost,  lost  his;  and  the  surviyor  bound 

In  filial  obligation  for  some  term 

To  do  obsequious  sorrow:  but  to  persever 

In  obstinate  condolement  is  a  course 

Of  impious  stubbornness;  't  is  unmanly  grief; 

It  shows  a  will  most  incorrect  to  heayen, 

A  heart  unfortified,  a  mind  impatient, 

An  understanding  simple  and  unschoord: 

For  what  we  know  must  be  and  is  as  common 

As  any  the  most  yulgar  thing  to  sense, 

Why  should  we  in  our  peeyish  opposition 

Take  it  to  heart?  Fie!  't  is  a  fault  to  heayen, 

A  fault  against  the  dead,  a  fault  to  nature. 

To  reason  most  absurd;  whose  common  theme 

Is  death  of  fathers,  and  who  still  hath  cried, 

From  the  first  corse  till  he  that  died  to-day, 

This  must  be  so.  We  pray  you,  throw  to  earth 

This  unpreyailing  woe,  and  think  of  us 

As  of  a  father;  for  let  the  world  take  note. 

You  are  the  most  immediate  to  our  throne, 

And  with  no  less  nobility  of  loye 

Than  that  which  dearest  father  bears  his  son 

Do  I  impart  toward  you.  For  your  intent 

In  going  back  to  school  in  Wittenberg, 

It  is  most  retrograde  to  our  desire; 

And  we  beseech  you,  bend  you  to  remain 

Here,  in  the  cheer  and  comfort  of  our  eye. 

Our  chiefest  courtier,  cousin,  and  our  son. 

[12] 


Act  I  Hamlet,  Princb  of  Denmark  Scene  II 

Queen.  Let  not  thy  mother  lose  her  prayers,  Hamlet: 
I  pray  thee,  stay  with  us;  go  not  to  Wittenberg. 
Hamlet.  I  shall  in  all  my  best  obey  you,  madam. 
King.  Why,  't  is  a  loving  and  a  fair  reply; 
Be  as  ourself  in  Denmark. — ^Madam,  come; 
This  gentle  and  unforced  accord  of  Hamlet 
Sits  smiling  to  my  heart:  in  grace  whereof, 
ISo  jocund  health  that  Denmark  drinks  to-day, 
But  the  great  cannon  to  the  clouds  shall  tell, 
And  the  king's  rouse  the  heavens  shall  bruit  again, 
Bespeaking  earthly  thunder. — Come  away. 

[Exeunt  all  hut  Hamlet. 
Hamlet.  O  that  this  too,  too  solid  flesh  would  melt, 
Thaw,  and  resolve  itself  into  a  dew! 
Or  that  the  Everlasting  had  not  flx'd 
His  canon  'gainst  self-slaughter!  O  God  I  O  God! 
How  weary,  stale,  flat,  and  unprofitable 
Seem  to  me  all  the  uses  of  this  world! 
Fie  on  't!  O  fie!  't  is  an  unweeded  garden. 
That  grows  to  seed;  things  rank  and  gross  in  nature 
Possess  it  merely.  That  it  should  come  to  this! 
But  two  months  dead!  nay,  not  so  much,  not  two: 
So  excellent  a  king;  that  was,  to  this, 
Hyperion  to  a  satyr;  so  loving  to  my  mother 
That  he  might  not  beteem  the  winds  of  heaven 
Visit  her  face  too  roughly.  Heaven  and  earth! 
Must  I  remember?  why,  she  would  hang  on  him, 
As  if  increase  of  appetite  had  grown 

[13] 


Aet  I  Hamlet,  Pbince  of  DeotkIAek  Scene  II 

By  what  it  fed  on;  and  yet,  within  a  month — 

Let  me  not  thiak  on 't — Frailty,  thy  name  is  woman! — 

A  little  month,  or  ere  those  shoes  were  old 

With  which  she  followed  my  poor  father's  body. 

Like  Mobe,  all  tears, — ^why  she,  even  she — 

O  God!  a  beast,  that  wants  discourse  of  reason. 

Would  haye  mourn'd  longer — ^married  with  my  uncle. 

My  father's  brother,  but  no  more  like  my  father 

Than  I  to  Hercules.  Within  a  month? 

Ere  yet  the  salt  of  most  unrighteous  tears 

Had  left  the  flushing  in  her  galled  eyes. 

She  married.  O  most  wicked  speed,  to  post 

With  such  dexterity  to  incestuous  sheets! 

It  is  not,  nor  it  cannot  come  to  good; — 

But  break,  my  heart,  for  I  must  hold  my  tongue. 

Enter  Hoeatio,  Maecellus,  and  Bee:n^aedo. 

Horatio.  Hail  to  your  lordship! 

Hamlet,  I  am  glad  to  see  you  well: 

Horatio,— or  I  do  forget  myself. 

Horatio.  The  same,  my  lord,  &  your  poor  servant  ever. 

Hamlet.  Sir,  my  good  friend;  I  '11  change  that  name 

with  you: 
And  what  make  you  from  Wittenberg,  Horatio? — 
Marcellus? 

Marcellm.  My  good  lord — 
Hamlet.  I  am  very  glad  to  see  you. — [To  Bernardo.^ 

Good  even,  sir. — 

[14] 


Act  I  Hamlet,  Pbince  of  Denmabk  Scene  II 

But  what,  in  faith,  make  you  from  Wittenberg? 

Horatio,  A  truant  disposition,  good  my  lord. 

Hamlet,  I  would  not  hear  your  enemy  say  so, 

IsTor  shall  you  do  mine  ear  that  violence. 

To  make  it  truster  of  your  own  report 

Against  yourself;  I  know  you  are  no  truant. 

But  what  is  your  affair  in  Elsinore? 

We  '11  teach  you  to  drink  deep  ere  you  depart. 

Horatio,  My  lord,  I  came  to  see  your  father's  funeral. 

Hamlet,  I  pray  thee,  do  not  mock  me,  fellow-student; 

I  think  it  was  to  see  my  mother's  wedding. 

Horatio,  Indeed,  my  lord,  it  follow'd  hard  upon. 

Hamlet,  Thrift,  thrift,  Horatio !  the  funeral  bak'd-meats 

Did  coldly  furnish  forth  the  marriage  tables. 

Would  I  had  met  my  dearest  foe  in  heaven 

Ere  I  had  ever  seen  that  day,  Horatio! 

My  father! — methinks  I  see  my  father. 

Horatio,  O  where,  my  lord? 

Hamlet,  In  my  mind's  eye,  Horatio. 

Horatio,  I  saw  him  once;  he  was  a  goodly  king. 

Hamlet,  He  was  a  man,  take  him  for  all  in  all, 

I  shall  not  look  upon  his  like  again. 

Horatio.  My  lord,  I  think  I  saw  him  yesternight. 

Hamlet,  Saw?  who? 

Horatio,  My  lord,  the  king  your  father. 

Hamlet,  The  king  my  father! 

Horatio,  Season  your  admiration  for  a  while 

With  an  attent  ear,  till  I  may  deliver, 

[15] 


Act  I  Hamlet,  PBrsrcE  of  Denmark  Seme  II 

Upon  the  witness  of  these  gentlemen, 

This  marvel  to  you. 

Hamlet.  For  God's  love,  let  me  hear. 

Horatio.  Two  nights  together  had  these  gentlemen, 

Marcellus  and  Bernardo,  on  their  watch. 

In  the  dead  waste  and  middle  of  the  night. 

Been  thus  encounter'd.  A  figure  like  your  father, 

Armed  at  all  points  exactly,  cap-a-pe, 

Appears  before  them,  and  with  solemn  march 

Groes  slow  and  stately  by  them;  thrice  he  walked 

By  their  oppressed  and  fear-surprised  eyes. 

Within  his  truncheon's  length;  whilst  they,  distill'd 

Almost  to  jelly  with  the  act  of  fear. 

Stand  dumb,  and  speak  not  to  him.  This  to  me 

In  dreadfal  secrecy  impart  they  did; 

And  I  with  them  the  third  night  kept  the  watch: 

Where,  as  they  had  delivered,  both  in  time, 

Form  of  the  thing,  each  word  made  true  and  good. 

The  apparition  comes.  I  knew  your  father; 

These  hands  are  not  more  like. 

Hamlet.  But  where  was  this? 

Marcellus.  My  lord,  upon  the  platform  where  we  watch'd. 

Hamlet.  Did  you  not  speak  to  it? 

Horatio.  My  lord,  I  did; 

But  answer  made  it  none:  yet  once  methought 

It  lifted  up  its  head  and  did  address 

Itself  to  motion,  like  as  it  would  speak; 

But  even  then  the  morning  cock  crew  loud, 

[16] 


Aet  I  Hamlet,  Pbincb  of  Denmabk  Scene  II 

And  at  the  sound  it  shrunk  in  haste  away, 

And  vanished  from  our  sight. 

Hamlet.  'T  is  very  strange. 

Horatio.  As  I  do  live,  my  honoured  lord,  't  is  true; 

And  we  did  think  it  writ  down  in  our  duty 

To  let  you  know  of  it. 

Hamlet.  Indeed,  indeed,  sirs,  but  this  troubles  me. 

Hold  you  the  watch  to-night? 

Ty  -J     >  We  do,  my  lord. 

Bernardo.  )  •^ 

Hamlet.  Arm'd,  say  you? 

MarceUus.  )  *       >^  i     ^ 

T^  ,     >  Arm  d,  my  lord. 

Bernardo.  } 

Hamlet.  From  top  to  toe? 

JM.  arceti/Us.  /  "n  /r    i     j    /»         -i       t  j_    i*    j_ 

j^  ,     >  My  lord,  from  head  to  foot. 

Hamlet.  Then  saw  you  not  his  face? 
Horatio.  O,  yes,  my  lord;  he  wore  his  beaver  up. 
Hamlet.  What,  looked  he  frowningly? 
Horatio.  A  countenance  more  in  sorrow  than  in  anger. 
Hamlet.  Pale,  or  red? 
Horatio.  Nay,  very  pale.  ^ 

Hamlet.  And  fix'd  his  eyes  upon  you? 

Horatio.  Most  constantly. 

Hamlet.  I  would  I  had  been  there. 

Horatio.  It  would  have  much  amaz'd  you. 
Hamlet.  Very  like,  very  like.  Stayed  it  long? 
Horatio.  Wldle  one  with  moderate  haste  might  tell  a 
hundred.  [i7] 


Aet  I  Hamlet,  Princb  of  Denmabk  Scene  II 

-o  -r     ?  Longer,  longer. 

Bernardo.  )         »    '        » 

Horatio.  Not  when  I  saw  't. 

Samlet  His  beard  was  grizzled?  no? 

Horatio.  It  was,  as  I  have  seen  it  in  his  life, 

A  sable  silver'd. 

Hamlet  I  '11  watch  to-night; 

Perchance  't  will  walk  again. 

Horatio.      r      ,  I  warrant  it  will. 

Hamlet.  If  it  assume  my  noble  father's  person, 

I  11  speak  to  it,  though  hell  itself  should  gape 

And  bid  me  hold  my  peace.  I  pray  you  all. 

If  you  have  hitherto  concealed  this  sight. 

Let  it  be  tenable  in  your  silence  still; 

And  whatsoever  else  shall  hap  to-night, 

Give  it  an  understanding,  but  no  tongue: 

I  will  requite  your  loves.  So,  fare  you  well; 

Upon  the  platform,  'twixt  eleven  and  twelve, 

I  '11  visit  you. 

AH.  Our  duty  to  your  honour. 

Hamlet  Tour  loves,  as  mine  to  you;  farewell. — 

[Exeunt  all  hut  Hamlet 

My  father's  spirit  in  arms!  all  is  not  well; 

I  doubt  some  foul  play:  would  the  night  were  come! 

Till  then  sit  still,  my  soul;  foul  deeds  will  rise. 

Though  all  the  earth  o'erwhelm  them,  to  men's  eyes. 

[Exit 

[18] 


Act  I  Hamlet,  Prince  op  Denmark         Scene  III 

Scene  III.  A  Boom  in  Polonim's  House. 

Enter  Laeetes  and  Ophelia. 

Laertes,  My  necessaries  are  embark'd;  farewell: 

And,  sister,  as  the  winds  give  benefit 

And  convoy  is  assistant,  do  not  sleep, 

But  let  me  hear  from  you. 

Ophelia.  Do  you  doubt  that? 

Laertes,  For  Hamlet  and  the  trifling  of  his  favour, 

Hold  it  a  fashion  and  a  toy  in  blood, 

A  violet  in  the  youth  of  primy  nature, 

Forward,  not  permanent,  sweet,  not  lasting, 

The  perfume  and  suppliance  of  a  minute; 

ISo  more. 

Ophelia.  ISo  more  but  so? 

Laertes,  Think  it  no  more; 

For  nature  crescent  does  not  grow  alone 

In  thews  and  bulk,  but,  as  this  temple  waxes. 

The  inward  service  of  the  mind  and  soul 

Grows  wide  withal.  Perhaps  he  loves  you  now, 

And  now  no  soil  nor  cautel  doth  besmirch 

The  virtue  of  his  will;  but  you  must  fear. 

His  greatness  weigh'd,  his  will  is  not  his  own; 

For  he  himself  is  subject  to  his  birth. 

He  may  not,  as  unvalued  persons  do. 

Carve  for  himself,  for  on  his  choice  depends 

The  safety  and  health  of  this  whole  state; 

And  therefore  must  his  choice  be  circumscribed 

[19] 


Act  I  Hamlet,  Pbikce  of  Denmark         Scene  III 

Unto  the  voice  and  yielding  of  that  body 

Whereof  he  is  the  head.  Then  if  he  says  he  loves  you, 

It  fits  your  wisdom  so  far  to  believe  it 

As  he  in  his  particular  act  and  place 

May  give  his  saying  deed;  which  is  no  further 

Than  the  main  voice  of  Denmark  goes  withal. 

Then  weigh  what  loss  your  honour  may  sustain, 

If  with  too  credent  ear  you  list  his  songs, 

Or  lose  your  heart,  or  your  chaste  treasure  open 

To  his  unmaster'd  importunity. 

Fear  it,  Ophelia,  fear  it,  my  dear  sister. 

And  keep  you  in  the  rear  of  your  affection, 

Out  of  the  shot  and  danger  of  desire. 

The  chariest  maid  is  prodigal  enough. 

If  she  unmask  her  beauty  to  the  moon. 

Virtue  itself  scapes  not  calumnious  strokes; 

The  canker  galls  the  infants  of  the  spring, 

Too  oft  before  their  buttons  be  disclosed; 

And  in  the  morn  and  liquid  dew  of  youth 

Contagious  blastments  are  most  imminent. 

Be  wary  then;  best  safety  lies  in  fear: 

Youth  to  itself  rebels,  though  none  else  near. 

Ophelia.  I  shall  the  effect  of  this  good  lesson  keep, 

As  watchman  to  my  heart.  But,  good  my  brother, 

Do  not,  as  some  ungracious  pastors  do, 

Show  me  the  steep  and  thorny  way  to  heaven. 

Whilst,  like  a  puff  d  and  reckless  libertine. 

Himself  the  primrose  path  of  dalliance  treads, 

[20] 


Act  I  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark         Scene  III 

And  recks  not  his  own  rede. 

Laertes.  O,  fear  me  not. 

I  stay  too  long;  but  here  my  father  comes. 

Enter  Polonius. 

A  double  blessing  is  a  double  grace; 

Occasion  smiles  upon  a  second  leave. 

Polonius,  Yet  here,  Laertes !  aboard,  aboard,  for  shame ! 

The  wind  sits  in  the  shoulder  of  your  sail, 

And  you  are  stay'd  for.  There ;  my  blessing  with  thee ! 

And  these  few  precepts  in  thy  memory 

See  thou  character.  Give  thy  thoughts  no  tongue, 

ISTor  any  unproportion'd  thought  his  act. 

Be  thou  familiar,  but  by  no  means  vulgar. 

Those  friends  thou  hast,  and  their  adoption  tried, 

Grapple  them  to  thy  soul  with  hoops  of  steel; 

But  do  not  dull  thy  palm  with  entertainment 

Of  each  new-hatch'd,  unfledg'd  comrade.  Beware 

Of  entrance  to  a  quarrel,  but,  being  in. 

Bear  't  that  the  opposed  may  beware  of  thee. 

Give  every  man  thy  ear,  but  few  thy  voice; 

Take  each  man's  censure,  but  reserve  thy  judgment. 

Costly  thy  habit  as  thy  purse  can  buy, 

But  not  expressed  in  fancy;  rich,  not  gaudy; 

For  the  apparel  oft  proclaims  the  man. 

And  they  in  France  of  the  best  rank  and  station 

Are  most  select  and  generous,  chief  in  that. 

!N^either  a  borrower  nor  a  lender  be; 

[21] 


Act  I  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Deisiiark         Scene  III 

For  loan  oft  loses  both  itself  and  friend, 

And  borrowing  dulls  the  edge  of  husbandry. 

This  above  all:  to  thine  own  self  be  true, 

And  it  must  follow,  as  the  night  the  day, 

Thou  canst  not  then  be  false  to  any  man. 

Farewell;  my  blessing  season  this  in  thee! 

Laertes.  Most  humbly  do  I  take  my  leave,  my  lord. 

Polonim,  The  time  invites  you;  go,  your  servants  tend. 

Laertes.  Farewell,  Ophelia;  and  remember  well 

What  I  have  said  to  you. 

Ophelia,  'T  is  in  my  memory  lock'd. 

And  you  yourself  shall  keep  the  key  of  it. 

Laertes.  Farewell.  [Exit. 

Polonius.  What  is  't,  Ophelia,  he  hath  said  to  you? 

Ophelia.  So  please  you,  something  touching  the  Lord 

Hamlet. 
Polonim.  Marry,  well  bethought: 
'T  is  told  me,  he  hath  very  oft  of  late 
Given  private  time  to  you,  and  you  yourself 
Have  of  your  audience  been  most  free  and  bounteous; 
If  it  be  so — as  so  't  is  put  on  me. 
And  that  in  way  of  caution — I  must  tell  you, 
You  do  not  understand  yourself  so  clearly 
As  it  behoves  my  daughter  and  your  honour. 
What  is  between  you?  give  me  up  the  truth. 
Ophelia.  He  hath,  my  lord,  of  late  made  many  tenders 
Of  his  affection  to  me. 
Polonim.  Affection!  pooh!  you  speak  like  a  green  girl, 

[22] 


Act  I  Hamlet,  Pbincb  of  Denmark        Scene  III 

Unsifted  in  such  perilous  circumstance. 
Do  you  believe  his  tenders,  as  you  call  them? 
Ophelia.  I  do  not  know,  my  lord,  what  I  should  think. 
Polonius.  Marry,  1 11  teach  you;  think  yourself  a  baby, 
That  you  have  ta'en  these  tenders  for  true  pay, 
Which  are  not  sterling.  Tender  yourself  more  dearly; 
Or — not  to  crack  the  wind  of  the  poor  phrase. 
Running  it  thus — you  '11  tender  me  a  fool. 
Ophelia.  My  lord,  he  hath  importun'd  me  with  love 
In  honourable  fashion. 

Polonius.  Ay,  fashion  you  may  call  it;  go  to,  go  to. 
Ophelia.  And  hath  given  countenance  to  his  speech,  my 

lord. 
With  almost  all  the  holy  vows  of  heaven. 
Polonius.  Ay,  springes  to  catch  woodcocks.  I  do  know, 
When  the  blood  burns,  how  prodigal  the  soul 
Lends  the  tongue  vows;  these  blazes,  daughter, 
Giving  more  light  than  heat,  extinct  in  both, 
Even  in  their  promise,  as  it  is  a-making, 
You  must  not  take  for  fire.  Prom  this  time 
Be  somewhat  scanter  of  your  maiden  presence. 
Set  your  entreatments  at  a  higher  rate  ^ 

Than  a  command  to  parley.  For  Lord  Hamlet, 
Believe  so  much  in  him,  that  he  is  young. 
And  with  a  larger  tether  may  he  walk 
Than  may  be  given  you:  in  few,  Ophelia, 
Do  not  believe  his  vows;  for  they  are  brokers, 
Not  of  that  dye  which  their  investments  show, 

[23] 


Act  I  HAMiiET,  Pbikcb  OF  DENMARK  Scme  IV 

But  mere  implorators  of  unlioly  suits, 

Breathing  like  sanctified  and  pious  bawds, 

The  better  to  beguile.  This  is  for  all; 

I  would  not,  in  plain  terms,  from  this  time  forth. 

Have  you  so  slander  any  moment's  leisure. 

As  to  give  words  or  talk  with  the  Lord  Hamlet. 

Look  to 't,  I  charge  you;  come  your  ways. 

Ophelia.  I  shall  obey,  my  lord.  [Exeunt 

SOEKEJ  IV.  The  Platform. 

Enter  Hamlet,  Hoeatio,  and  Maeoellus. 

Hamlet.  The  air  bites  shrewdly;  it  is  very  cold. 

Horatio.  It  is  a  nipping  and  an  eager  air. 

Hamlet.  What  hour  now? 

Horatio.  I  think  it  lacks  of  twelve. 

Hamlet.  Ko,  it  is  struck. 

Horatio.  Indeed?  I  heard  it  not:  it  then  draws  near 

the  season 
Wherein  the  spirit  held  his  wont  to  walk. 

[A  flourish  of  trumpets  and  ordnance  shot  off  within. 
What  does  this  mean,  my  lord? 
Hamlet.  The  King  doth  wake  to-night  and  takes  his 

rouse. 
Keeps  wassail,  and  the  swaggering  up-spring  reels; 
And  as  he  drains  his  draughts  of  Ehenish  down. 
The  kettle-drum  and  trumpet  thus  bray  out 
The  triumph  of  his  pledge. 

[24] 


Act  I  Hamlet,  Princb  of  Dbnmabk  Seene  lY 

Horatio,  Is  it  a  custom? 

Hamlet.  Ay,  marry  is  't; 

But  to  my  mind,  though  I  am  native  here 

And  to  the  manner  born,  it  is  a  custom 

More  honoured  in  the  breach  than  the  observance. 

This  heavy-headed  revel  east  and  west 

Makes  us  traduc'd  and  tax'd  of  other  nations : 

They  clepe  us  drunkards,  and  with  swinish  phrase 

Soil  our  addition;  and  indeed  it  takes 

From  our  achievements,  though  performed  at  height, 

The  pith  and  marrow  of  our  attribute. 

So,  oft  it  chances  in  particular  men, 

That  for  some  vicious  mole  of  nature  in  them, 

As,  in  their  birth — wherein  they  are  not  guilty, 

Since  nature  cannot  choose  his  origin — 

By  the  overgrowth  of  some  complexion, 

Oft  breaking  down  the  pales  and  forts  of  reason, 

Or  by  some  habit  that  too  much  o'er-leavens 

The  form  of  plausive  manners,  that  these  men, 

Carrying,  I  say,  the  stamp  of  one  defect, 

Being  nature's  livery,  or  fortune's  star, — 

Their  virtues  else — ^be  they  as  pure  as  grace. 

As  infinite  as  man  may  undergo — 

Shall  in  the  general  censure  take  corruption 

From  that  particular  fault:  the  dram  of  eale 

Doth  all  the  noble  substance  of  a  doubt 

To  his  own  scandal. 

Horatio,  Look,  my  lord,  it  comes! 

[25] 


Act  I  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Scene  IV 


Enter  Ghost. 

Hamlet.  Angels  and  ministers  of  grace  defend  us! — 

Be  thou  a  spirit  of  health  or  goblin  damn'd, 

Bring  with  thee  airs  from  heayen  or  blasts  from  hell, 

Be  thy  intents  wicked  or  charitable, 

Thou  comest  in  such  a  questionable  shape 

That  I  will  speak  to  thee :  I  '11  call  thee  Hamlet, 

King,  father;  royal  Dane,  O,  answer  me! 

Let  me  not  burst  in  ignorance;  but  tell 

Why  thy  canoniz'd  bones,  hearsed  in  death. 

Have  burst  their  cerements;  why  the  sepulchre. 

Wherein  we  saw  thee  quietly  inurn'd, 

Hath  op'd  his  ponderous  and  marble  jaws. 

To  cast  thee  up  again.  What  may  this  mean. 

That  thou,  dead  corse,  again  in  complete  steel 

Eevisit'st  thus  the  glimpses  of  the  moon. 

Making  night  hideous;  and  we  fools  of  nature 

So  horridly  to  shake  our  disposition 

With  thoughts  beyond  the  reaches  of  our  souls? 

Say,  why  is  this?  wherefore?  what  should  we  do? 

[^Ghost  becJcons  Hamlet. 
Horatio.  It  beckons  you  to  go  away  with  it. 
As  if  it  some  impartment  did  desire 
To  you  alone. 

Marcellus.         Look,  with  what  courteous  action 
It  waves  you  to  a  more  removed  ground: 
But  do  not  go  with  it. 

[26] 


Act  I  Hamlet,  Peinoe  of  Denmabk  Scene  TV 

Horatio.  iN'o,  by  no  means. 

Hamlet.  It  will  not  speak;  then  I  will  follow  it. 

Horatio.  Do  not,  my  lord. 

Hamlet.  Why,  what  should  be  the  fear? 

I  do  not  set  my  life  at  a  pin's  fee; 

And  for  my  soul,  what  can  it  do  to  that. 

Being  a  thing  immortal  as  itself? 

It  waves  me  forth  again;  I  '11  follow  it. 

Horatio.  What  if  it  tempt  you  toward  the  flood,  my  lord, 

Or  to  the  dreadful  summit  of  the  cliff 

That  beetles  o'er  his  base  into  the  sea, 

And  there  assume  some  other  horrible  form, 

Which  might  deprive  your  sovereignty  of  reason 

And  draw  you  into  madness?  think  of  it; 

The  very  place  puts  toys  of  desperation. 

Without  more  motive,  into  every  brain 

That  looks  so  many  fathoms  to  the  sea 

And  hears  it  roar  beneath. 

Hamlet.  It  waves  me  still. — 

Go  on;  I  '11  follow  thee. 

Marcellus.  You  shall  not  go,  my  lord. 

Hamlet.  Hold  off  your  hands! 

Horatio.  Be  rul'd;  you  shall  not  go. 

Hamlet.  My  fate  cries  out, 

And  makes  each  petty  artery  in  this  body 

As  hardy  as  the  Nemean  lion's  nerve. 

Still  am  I  call'd. — Unhand  me,  gentlemen. 

By  heaven,  I  '11  make  a  ghost  of  him  that  lets  me! 

[27] 


Act  I  HAMiiET,  Prince  of  Denmark  Scene  V 

I  say,  away! — Go  on;  I  '11  follow  thee. 

[JExeunt  Ghost  and  Hamlet, 
Horatio.  He  waxes  desperate  with  imagination. 
MarceUm.  Let 's  follow;  't  is  not  fit  thus  to  obey  him. 
Horatio,  Have  after. — To  what  issue  will  this  come? 
MarceUus,  Something  is  rotten  in  the  state  of  Denmark. 
Horatio,  Heaven  will  direct  it. 
MarceUus,  Nay,  let 's  follow  him.  [Exeunt, 

Scene  Y.  Another  Part  of  the  Platform, 

Enter  Ghost  and  Hamlet. 

Hamlet,  Where  wilt  thou  lead  me?  speak;  I  11  go  no 

further. 
Ghost,  Mark  me. 
Hamlet.  I  will. 

Ghost.  My  hour  is  almost  come, 

When  I  to  sulphurous  and  tormenting  flames 
Must  render  up  myself. 
Hamlet.  Alas,  poor  ghost! 

Ghost.  Pity  me  not,  but  lend  thy  serious  hearing 
To  what  I  shall  unfold. 

Hamlet.  Speak;  I  am  bound  to  hear. 

Ghost.  So  art  thou  to  revenge,  when  thou  shalt  hear. 
Hamlet,  What? 

Ghost.  I  am  thy  father's  spirit, 
Doom'd  for  a  certain  term  to  walk  the  night. 
And  for  the  day  confined  to  fast  in  fires, 

[28] 


Act  I  Hamlet,  Prestce  op  Denmark  Scene  V 

Till  the  foul  crimes  done  in  my  days  of  nature 

Are  burnt  and  purged  away.  But  that  I  am  forbid 

To  tell  the  secrets  of  my  prison-house, 

I  could  a  tale  unfold  whose  lightest  word 

Would  harrow  up  thy  soul,  freeze  thy  young  blood. 

Make  thy  two  eyes,  like  stars,  start  from  their  spheres. 

Thy  knotted  and  combined  locks  to  part. 

And  each  particular  hair  to  stand  on  end, 

Like  quills  upon  the  fretful  porpentine; 

But  this  eternal  blazon  must  not  be 

To  ears  of  flesh  and  blood.  List,  list,  O,  list! 

If  thou  didst  ever  thy  dear  father  love — 

Hamlet  O  God! 

Ghost  Eevenge  his  foul  and  most  unnatural  murther. 

Hamlet  Murther  1 

Ghost  Murther  most  foul,  as  in  the  best  it  is; 

But  this  most  foul,  strange,  and  unnatural. 

Hamlet  Haste  me  to  know 't,  that  I,  with  wings  as  swift 

As  meditation  or  the  thoughts  of  love, 

May  sweep  to  my  revenge. 

Ghost  I  find  thee  apt; 

And  duller  shouldst  thou  be  than  the  fat  weed 

That  roots  itself  in  ease  on  Lethe  wharf, 

Wouldst  thou  not  stir  in  this.  Now,  Hamlet,  hear: 

'T  is  given  out  that,  sleeping  in  my  orchard, 

A  serpent  stung  me;  so  the  whole  ear  of  Denmark 

Is  by  a  forged  process  of  my  death 

Rankly  abus'd;  but  know,  thou  noble  youth, 

[29] 


Act  I  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Deisiojik  Scene  V 

The  serpent  that  did  sting  thy  father's  life 

Now  wears  his  crown. 

Hamlet  O  my  prophetic  soul! 

My  uncle! 

Ghost.  Ay,  that  incestuous,  that  adulterate  beast. 

With  witchcraft  of  his  wit,  with  traitorous  gifts,^ 

O  wicked  wit  and  gifts,  that  have  the  power 

So  to  seduce! — ^won  to  his  shameful  lust 

The  will  of  my  most  seeming- virtuous  queen; 

0  Hamlet,  what  a  falling-off  was  there ! 
From  me,  whose  love  was  of  that  dignity 
That  it  went  hand  in  hand  even  with  the  vow 

1  made  to  her  in  marriage,  and  to  decline 
Upon  a  wretch  whose  natural  gifts  were  poor 
To  those  of  mine! 

But  virtue,  as  it  never  will  be  mov'd. 

Though  lewdness  court  it  in  a  shape  of  heaven, 

So  lust,  though  to  a  radiant  angel  link'd, 

Will  sate  itself  in  a  celestial  bed, 

And  prey  on  garbage. 

But,  soft!  methinks  I  scent  the  morning  air; 

Brief  let  me  be.  Sleeping  within  my  orchard. 

My  custom  always  in  the  afternoon. 

Upon  my  secure  hour  thy  uncle  stole, 

With  juice  of  cursed  hebenon  in  a  vial. 

And  in  the  porches  of  my  ears  did  pour 

The  leperous  distilment;  whose  effect 

Holds  such  an  enmity  with  blood  of  man 

[30] 


Act  I  Hamlet,  Prince  op  Denmark  Scene  V 

That  swift  as  quicksilver  it  courses  through 
The  natural  gates  and  alleys  of  the  body, 
And  with  a  sudden  vigour  it  doth  posset 
And  curd,  like  eager  droppings  into  milk, 
The  thin  and  wholesome  blood:  so  did  it  mine; 
And  a  most  instant  tetter  bark'd  about, 
Most  lazar-like,  with  vile  and  loathsome  crust, 
All  my  smooth  body. 
Thus  was  I,  sleeping,  by  a  brother's  hand 
Of  life,  of  crown,  of  queen,  at  once  dispatched; 
Cut  off  even  in  the  blossoms  of  my  sin, 
TJnhouserd,  disappointed,  unanel'd, 
^o  reckoning  made,  but  sent  to  my  account 
With  all  my  imperfections  on  my  head: 
O,  horrible!  O,  horrible!  most  horrible! 
If  thou  hast  nature  in  thee,  bear  it  not; 
Let  not  the  Eoyal  bed  of  Denmark  be 
A  couch  for  luxury  and  damned  incest. 
But,  howsoever  thou  pursuest  this  act. 
Taint  not  thy  mind,  nor  let  thy  soul  contrive 
Against  thy  mother  aught;  leave  her  to  heaven 
And  to  those  thorns  that  in  her  bosom  lodge, 
To  prick  and  sting  her.  Fare  thee  well  at  once! 
The  glow-worm  shows  the  matin  to  be  near. 
And  'gins  to  pale  his  uneffectual  fire; 
Adieu,  adieu!  Hamlet,  remember  me.  [Exit. 

Hamlet  O  all  you  host  of  heaven!  O  earth!  what 
else? 

[31] 


Act  I  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Scene  V 

And  shall  I  couple  hell?  O,  fie!  Hold,  hold,  my  heart; 

And  you,  my  sinews,  grow  not  instant  old, 

But  bear  me  stiffly  up.  Eemember  thee! 

Ay,  thou  poor  ghost,  while  memory  holds  a  seat 

In  this  distracted  globe.  Eemember  thee! 

Tea,  from  the  table  of  my  memory 

I  '11  wipe  away  all  trivial  fond  records. 

All  saws  of  books,  all  forms,  all  pressures  past. 

That  youth  and  observation  copied  there; 

And  thy  commandment  all  alone  shall  live 

Within  the  book  and  volume  of  my  brain, 

XJnmix'd  with  baser  matter:  yes,  by  heaven! 

O  most  pernicious  woman! 

0  villain,  villain,  smiling,  damned  villain! 
My  tables, — ^meet  it  is  I  set  it  down. 

That  one  may  smile,  and  smile,  and  be  a  villain; 
At  least  I  'm  sure  it  may  be  so  in  Denmark. — 

[  Writing. 
So,  uncle,  there  you  are. — ^Ifow  to  my  word; 
It  is  *  Adieu,  adieu!  remember  me.' 

1  have  sworn  't. 

Marcelltis.  [Within]  Lord  Hamlet! 

Horatio,  [Within]  Heaven  secure  him! 

Hamlet.  So  be  it! 

Horatio.  [Within]  Hillo,  ho,  ho,  my  lord! 

Hamlet.  Hillo,  ho,  ho,  boy!  come,  bird,  come. 

[32] 


I 


Aet  I  Hamlet,  Pres^ce  of  Denmark  Scene  V 


Enter  Horatio  and  Marcellus. 

MarceUus.  How  is  %  my  noble  lord? 

Horatio.  What  news,  my  lord? 

Hamlet  O,  wonderful! 

Horatio.  Good  my  lord,  tell  it. 

Hamlet  No;  you  will  reveal  it. 

Horatio.  Not  I,  my  lord,  by  heaven. 

Marcellus.  Nor  I,  my  lord. 

Hamlet  How  say  you,  then;  would  heart  of  man  once 

think  it? 
But  you  '11  be  secret? 

nJ^^  ^*     i  Ay,  by  heaven,  my  lord. 

MarceUm.  )  j^    j  ^     j 

Hamlet.  There  's  ne'er  a  villain  dwelling  in  all  Denmark 

But  he  's  an  arrant  knave. 

Horatio.  There  needs  no  ghost,  my  lord,  come  from  the 

grave 
To  tell  us  this. 

Hamlet  Why,  right:  you  are  i'  the  right; 

And  so,  without  more  circumstance  at  all, 
I  hold  it  fit  that  we  shake  hands  and  part: 
You,  as  your  business  and  desire  shall  point  you, — 
For  every  man  has  business  and  desire. 
Such  as  it  is; — and  for  mine  own  poor  part, 
Look  you,  I  '11  go  pray. 
Horatio.  These  are  but  wild  and  whirling  words,  my 

lord. 

[33] 


Act  I  HAMiiET,  Prince  of  Denmark  Scene  Y 

Hamlet.  I  'm  sorry  they  offend  you,  heartily; 

Yes,  faith,  heartily. 

Horatio.  There  's  no  offence,  my  lord. 

Hamlet.  Yes,  by  Saint  Patrick,  but  there  is,  Horatio, 

And  much  offence  too.  Touching  this  vision  here. 

It  is  an  honest  ghost,  that  let  me  tell  you; 

For  your  desire  to  know  what  is  between  us. 

Overmaster  't  as  you  may.  And  now,  good  friends, 

As  you  are  friends,  scholars,  and  soldiers, 

Give  me  one  poor  request. 

Horatio.  What  is  %  my  lord?  we  will. 

Hamlet.  IsTever  make  known  what  you  have  seen  to-night. 

n:oratio.     >  ^    j^^^  ^^  ^jj  ^^^ 

Mareellus.  )      •^ 

Hamlet.  N^ay,  but  swear  't. 

Horatio.  In  faith, 

My  lord,  not  I. 

Mareellus.  If  or  I,  my  lord,  in  faith. 

Hamlet.  Upon  my  sword. 

Mareellus.  We  have  sworn,  my  lord,  already. 

Hamlet.  Indeed,  upon  my  sword,  indeed. 

Ghost.  [Beneath]  Swear. 

Hamlet.  Ah,  ha,  boy!  say'st  thou  so?  art  thou  there, 

true-penny? — 
Come  on — ^you  hear  this  fellow  in  the  cellarage — 
Consent  to  swear. 

Horatio.  Propose  the  oath,  my  lord. 

Hamlet.  STever  to  speak  of  this  that  you  have  seen. 

[34] 


Act  I  Hamlet,  Prince  op  Denmark  Scene  V 


Swear  by  my  sword. 

Ghost.  [Beneath]  Swear. 

Hamlet  Hie  et  ubique  ?  then  we  '11  shift  our  ground. —  * 

Come  hither,  gentlemen, 

And  lay  your  hands  again  upon  my  sword, 

Never  to  speak  of  this  that  you  have  heard. 

Swear  by  my  sword. 

Ghost.  [Beneath]  Swear. 

Hamlet.  Well  said,  old  mole!  canst  work  i'  the  earth 

so  fast? 
A  worthy  pioneer! — Once  more  remove,  good  friends. 
Horatio.  O  day  and  night,  but  this  is  wondrous  strange! 
Hamlet.  And  therefore  as  a  stranger  give  it  welcome. 
There  are  more  things  in  heaven  and  earth,  Horatio, 
Than  are  dreamt  of  in  your  philosophy. 
But  come; 

Here,  as  before,  never,  so  help  you  mercy, 
How  strange  or  odd  soe'er  I  bear  myself, — 
As  I  perchance  hereafter  shall  think  meet 
To  put  an  antic  disposition  on, — 
That  you,  at  such  times  seeing  me,  never  shall. 
With  arms  encumbered  thus,  or  this  head-shake. 
Or  by  pronouncing  of  some  doubtful  phrase. 
As  *Well,  well,  we  know,'  or  *We  could,  an  if  we 

would,' 
Or  *  If  we  list  to  speak,'  or  *  There  be,  an  if  they  might,' 
Or  such  ambiguous  giving-out,  to  note 
That  you  know  aught  of  me:  this  not  to  do, 

[35] 


Act  I  Hamlet,  Peincb  of  Denmark  Scene  V 

So  grace  and  mercy  at  your  most  need  help  you, 

Swear. 

Ghost.  [Beneath]  Swear. 

Hamlet.  Eest,  rest,  perturbed  spirit! — So,  gentlemen. 

With  all  my  love  I  do  commend  me  to  you; 

And  what  so  poor  a  man  as  Hamlet  is 

May  do,  to  express  his  love  and  friending  to  you, 

God  willing,  shall  not  lack.  Let  us  go  in  together; 

And  still  your  fingers  on  your  lips,  I  pray. 

The  time  is  out  of  joint; — O  cursed  spite, 

That  ever  I  was  born  to  set  it  right! — 

If  ay,  come,  let 's  go  together.  [JEoceunt. 


[36] 


ACT     TWO 


ACT  11. 

Scene  I.  A  Room  in  Polonim'8  Home. 

Enter  Polonius  and  Reynaldo. 

Polonim.  Give  him  this  money  &  these  notes,  Eeynaldo. 

Reynaldo.  I  will,  my  lord. 

Polonius.  You  shall  do  marvelous  wisely,  good  Eeynaldo, 

Before  you  visit  him,  to  make  inquire 

Of  his  behaviour. 

Reynaldo.  My  lord,  I  did  intend  it. 

Polonim.  Marry,  well  said,  very  well  said.  Look  you,  sir. 

Inquire  me  first  what  Danskers  are  in  Paris, 

And  how,  and  who;  what  means,  and  where  they  keep; 

What  company,  at  what  expense;  and  finding 

By  this  encompassment  and  drift  of  question 

That  they  do  know  my  son,  come  you  more  nearer 

Than  your  particular  demands  will  touch  it: 

Take  you,  as  't  were,  some  distant  knowledge  of  him. 

As  thus,  *I  know  his  father  and  his  friends. 

And  in  part  him,' — do  you  mark  this,  Eeynaldo? 

Reynaldo.  Ay,  very  well,  my  lord. 

Polonitis.  *And  in  part  him;  but'  you  may  say  *not  well; 

But,  if  't  be  he  I  mean,  he 's  very  wild. 

Addicted'  so  and  so:  and  there  put  on  him 

What  forgeries  you  please;  marry,  none  so  rank 

As  may  dishonour  him;  take  heed  of  that; 

But,  sir,  such  wanton,  wild,  and  usual  slips 

[41] 


Act  II  HAMiiET,  Prince  of  Denmark  Scene  I 

As  are  companions  noted  and  most  known 

To  youth  and  liberty. 

Beynaldo,  As  gaming,  my  lord. 

Polonius.  Ay,  or  drinking,  fencing,  swearing,  quarreling, 

Drabbing;  you  may  go  so  far. 

Beynaldo.  My  lord,  that  would  dishonour  him. 

Polonius.  Faith,  no;  as  you  may  season  it  in  the  charge. 

You  must  not  put  another  scandal  on  him, 

That  he  is  open  to  incontinency; 

That 's  not  my  meaning:  but  breathe  his  faults  so 

quaintly 
That  they  may  seem  the  taints  of  liberty, 
The  flash  and  outbreak  of  a  fiery  mind, 
A  savageness  in  unreclaimed  blood. 
Of  general  assault. 

Beynaldo.  But,  my  good  lord, — 

Polonius.  Wherefore  should  you  do  this? 
Beynaldo.  Ay,  my  lord, 

I  would  know  that. 

Polonius.  Marry,  sir,  here  's  my  drift; 

And,  I  believe,  it  is  a  fetch  of  warrant. 
Ton  laying  these  slight  sullies  on  my  son. 
As  't  were  a  thing  a  little  soil'd  i'  the  working, 
Mark  you. 

Your  party  in  converse,  him  you  would  sound. 
Having  ever  seen  in  the  prenominate  crimes 
The  youth  you  breathe  of  guilty,  be  assur'd 
He  closes  with  you  in  this  consequence: 

[42] 


Aet  II  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Scene  I 

*Good  sir,'  or  so,  or  *  friend,'  or  *  gentleman,' 

According  to  the  phrase  or  the  addition 

Of  man  and  country. 

Reynaldo,  Yerj  good,  my  lord. 

Polonius.  And  then,  sir,  does  he  this — he  does — what 

was  I  about  to  say?  By  the  masSy  I  was  about  to  say 

something;  where  did  I  leave? 

Reynaldo.  At  *  closes  in  the  consequence,'  at  *  friend  or 

so,'  and  *  gentleman.' 

Polonius.  At  *  closes  in  the  consequence,'  ay,  marry; 

He  closes  with  you  thus:  *I  know  the  gentleman; 

I  saw  him  yesterday,  or  t'  other  day, 

Or  then,  or  then,  with  such,  or  such,  and,  as  you  say, 

There  was  he  gaming,  there  o'ertook  in  his  rouse, 

There  falling  out  at  tennis;'  or  perchance, 

*I  saw  him  enter  such  a  house  of  sale,' 

Videlicet,  a  brothel,  or  so  forth. 

See  you  now; 

Tour  bait  of  falsehood  takes  this  carp  of  truth; 

And  thus  do  we  of  wisdom  and  of  reach, 

With  windlaces  and  with  assays  of  bias, 

By  indirections  find  directions  out: 

So,  by  my  former  lecture  and  advice. 

Shall  you  my  son.  You  have  me,  have  you  not? 

Reynaldo.  My  lord,  I  have. 

Polonius.  God  be  wi'  you;  fare  you  well. 

Reynaldo.  Good  my  lord! 

Polonius.  Observe  his  inclination  in  yourself. 

[43] 


Act  II  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Sceftie  I 

Beynaldo.  I  shall,  my  lord. 

Polonim.  And  let  him  ply  his  music. 

Beynaldo.  Well,  my  lord. 

Polonim,  Farewell!  [JExit  Beynaldo. 

Enter  Ophelia. 

How  now,  Ophelia!  what 's  the  matter? 
Ophelia.  O,  my  lord,  my  lord,  I  have  been  so  affrighted! 
Polonim.  With  what,  i'  the  name  of  God? 
Ophelia.  My  lord,  as  I  was  sewing  in  my  closet, 
Lord  Hamlet,  with  his  doublet  all  unbrac'd; 
l^o  hat  upon  his  head;  his  stockings  foul'd, 
Ungarter'd,  and  down-gyred  to  his  ankle; 
Pale  as  his  shirt;  his  Imees  knocking  each  other; 
And  with  a  look  so  piteous  in  purport 
As  if  he  had  been  loosed  out  of  hell 
To  speak  of  horrors, — ^he  comes  before  me. 
Polonius.  Mad  for  thy  love? 

Ophelia.  My  lord,  I  do  not  know; 

But  truly,  I  do  fear  it. 
Polonius.  What  said  he? 

Ophelia.  He  took  me  by  the  wrist  and  held  me  hard; 
Then  goes  he  to  the  length  of  all  his  arm. 
And,  with  his  other  hand  thus  o'er  his  brow, 
He  falls  to  such  perusal  of  my  face 
As  he  would  draw  it.  Long  stay'd  he  so; 
At  last,  a  little  shaking  of  mine  arm. 
And  thrice  his  head  thus  waving  up  and  down, 

[44] 


Act  II  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmakk  Scene  I 

He  rais'd  a  sigh  so  piteous  and  profound 

As  it  did  seem  to  shatter  all  his  bulk 

And  end  his  being:  that  done,  he  lets  me  go; 

And,  with  his  head  over  his  shoulder  turn'd, 

He  seem'd  to  find  his  way  without  his  eyes; 

For  out  o'  doors  he  went  without  their  help, 

And,  to  the  last,  bended  their  light  on  me. 

Polonim.  Come,  go  with  me;  I  will  go  seek  the  king. 

This  is  the  very  ecstasy  of  love, 

Whose  violent  property  fordoes  itself 

And  leads  the  will  to  desperate  undertakings, 

As  oft  as  any  passion  under  heaven 

That  does  afflict  our  natures.  I  am  sorry, — 

What,  have  you  given  him  any  hard  words  of  late? 

Ophelia.  No,  my  good  lord,  but,  as  you  did  command, 

I  did  repel  his  letters,  and  denied 

His  access  to  me. 

Polonius.  That  hath  made  him  mad. 

I  am  sorry  that  with  better  heed  and  judgment 

I  had  not  quoted  him.  I  fear'd  he  did  but  trifle, 

And  meant  to  wrack  thee;  but  beshrew  my  jealousy! 

By  heaven,  it  is  as  proper  to  our  age 

To  cast  beyond  ourselves  in  our  opinions 

As  it  is  common  for  the  younger  sort 

To  lack  discretion.  Come,  go  we  to  the  king: 

This  must  be  known;  which,  being  kept  close,  might 

move 
More  grief  to  hide  than  hate  to  utter  love.       {Exeunt 

[45] 


Act  II  Hamlet,  Peestce  of  Denmark  Scene  II 

Scene  II.  A  Boom  in  the  Castle. 

Enter  King,  Queen,  Eosenceantz,  Guildenstebn, 

and  Attendants. 

King.  Welcome,  dear  Eosencrantz  and  Guildenstern! 

Moreover  that  we  much  did  long  to  see  you. 

The  need  we  have  to  use  you  did  provoke 

Our  hasty  sending.  Something  have  you  heard 

Of  Hamlet's  transformation;  so  I  call  it, 

Since  not  the  exterior  nor  the  inward  man 

Eesembles  that  it  was.  What  it  should  be. 

More  than  his  father's  death,  that  thus  hath  put  him 

So  much  from  the  understanding  of  himself, 

I  cannot  dream  of.  I  entreat  you  both. 

That,  being  of  so  young  days  brought  up  with  him. 

And  since  so  neighboured  to  his  youth  and  humour, 

That  you  vouchsafe  your  rest  here  in  our  court 

Some  little  time;  so  by  your  companies 

To  draw  him  on  to  pleasures;  and  to  gather. 

So  much  as  from  occasions  you  may  glean. 

Whether  aught  to  us  unknown  afflicts  him  thus, 

That,  open'd,  lies  within  our  remedy. 

Queen.  Good  gentlemen,  he  hath  much  talk'd  of  you; 

And  sure  I  am  two  men  there  are  not  living 

To  whom  he  more  adheres.  If  it  will  please  you 

To  show  us  so  much  gentry  and  good  will 

As  to  expend  your  time  with  us  awhile,  ?  v  it 

For  the  supply  and  profit  of  our  hope, 

[46] 


Act  II  Hamlet,  Peince  of  Denmabk  Scene  II 

Tour  visitation  shall  receive  such  thanks 
As  fits  a  king's  remembrance. 

Bosencrantz.  Both  your  majesties 

Might,  by  the  sovereign  power  you  have  of  us, 
Put  your  dread  pleasures  more  into  command 
Than  to  entreaty. 

Ghiildenstern,  But  we  both  obey, 

And  here  give  up  ourselves,  in  the  full  bent 
To  lay  our  services  freely  at  your  feet. 
To  be  commanded. 

King.  Thanks,  Eosencrantz  and  gentle  Guildenstem. 
Queen.  Thanks,  Gruildenstern  and  gentle  Eosencrantz; 
And  I  beseech  you  instantly  to  visit 
My  too  much  changed  son. — Go,  some  of  you, 
And  bring  these  gentlemen  where  Hamlet  is. 
Ghiildenstern.  Heavens  make  our  presence  and  our  prac- 
tices 
Pleasant  and  helpful  to  himl 
Queen.  Ay,  amen! 

[Exeunt  Rosencrantz,  Ghiildenstern,  and  some  attendants. 

Enter  PoLOi^ius. 

Polonius.  The  ambassadors  from  Norway,  my  good  lord. 

Are  joyfully  returned. 

King.  Thou  still  hast  been  the  father  of  good  news. 

Polonius.  Have  I,  my  lord?  Assure  you,  my  good  liege, 

I  hold  my  duty,  as  I  hold  my  soul. 

Both  to  my  God  and  to  my  gracious  king ; 

[47] 


Act  II  Hamlet,  Prlktce  of  Denmark  Scene  II 

And  I  do  think,  or  else  this  brain  of  mine 
Hunts  not  the  trail  of  policy  so  sure 
As  it  hath  us'd  to  do,  that  I  have  found 
The  very  cause  of  Hamlet's  lunacy. 
King.  O,  speak  of  that;  that  do  I  long  to  hear. 
Polonius.  Give  first  admittance  to  the  ambassadors; 
My  news  shall  be  the  fruit  to  that  great  feast. 
King.  Thyself  do  grace  to  them,  and  bring  them  in. — 

[Exit  Polonius. 
He  tells  me,  my  sweet  queen,  that  he  hath  found 
The  head  and  source  of  all  your  son's  distemper. 
Queen.  I  doubt  it  is  no  other  but  the  main, — 
His  father's  death,  and  our  o'erhasty  marriage. 
King.  Well,  we  shall  sift  him. — 

Be-enter  Polokius,  with  Voltimajs^d  and  OoEioJLiTrs. 

Welcome,  my  good  friends! 
Say,  Yoltimand,  what  from  our  brother  Iforway? 
Voltimand.  Most  fair  return  of  greetings  and  desires. 
Upon  our  first,  he  sent  out  to  suppress 
His  nephew's  levies,  which  to  him  appear'd 
To  be  a  preparation  'gainst  the  Polack, 
But,  better  look'd  into,  he  truly  found 
It  was  against  your  highness:  whereat  griev'd, 
That  so  his  sickness,  age,  and  impotence 
Was  falsely  borne  in  hand,  sends  out  arrests 
On  Portinbras;  which  he,  in  brief,  obeys. 
Receives  rebuke  from  Norway,  and  in  fine 

[48] 


Act  II  Hamlet,  Peestce  op  Denmark  Bccfne  II 

Makes  vow  before  his  uncle  never  more 
To  give  the  assay  of  arms  against  your  majesty. 
Whereon  old  Norway,  overcome  with  joy, 
Gives  him  three  thousand  crowns  in  annual  fee, 
And  his  commission  to  employ  those  soldiers, 
So  levied  as  before,  against  the  Polack; 
With  an  entreaty,  herein  further  shown, 

[Giving  a  paper. 
That  it  might  please  you  to  give  quiet  pass 
Through  your  dominions  for  this  enterprise. 
On  such  regards  of  safety  and  allowance 
As  therein  are  set  down. 
King.  It  likes  us  well; 

And  at  our  more  considered  time  we  '11  read. 
Answer,  and  think  upon  this  business. 
Meantime  we  thank  you  for  your  well-took  labour. 
Go  to  your  rest;  at  night  we  '11  feast  together: 
Most  welcome  home!  [Exeunt  Voltimand  and  Cornelius. 
Polonius.  This  business  is  well  ended. — 

My  liege,  and  madam,  to  expostulate 
What  majesty  should  be,  what  duty  is. 
Why  day  is  day,  night  night,  and  time  is  time. 
Were  nothing  but  to  waste  night,  day,  and  time. 
Therefore,  since  brevity  is  the  soul  of  wit. 
And  tediousness  the  limbs  and  outward  flourishes, 
I  will  be  brief.  Your  noble  son  is  mad: 
Mad  call  I  it;  for,  to  define  true  madness. 
What  is  't  but  to  be  nothing  else  but  mad? 

[49] 


Act  II  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmabk  Scene  II 


But  let  that  go. 

Queen.  More  matter,  with  less  art. 

Polonius.  Madam,  I  swear  I  use  no  art  at  all. 

That  he  is  mad,  't  is  true ;  't  is  true  't  is  pity, 

And  pity 't  is  't  is  true:  a  foolish  figure; 

But  farewell  it,  for  I  will  use  no  art. 

Mad  let  us  grant  him,  then;  and  now  remains 

That  we  find  out  the  cause  of  this  effect. 

Or  rather  say,  the  cause  of  this  defect,  ^Eai^a 

For  this  effect  defective  comes  by  cause:  -  '^ 

Thus  it  remains,  and  the  remainder  thus. 

Perpend. 

I  have  a  daughter — ^have  while  she  is  mine — 

Who,  in  her  duty  and  obedience,  mark. 

Hath  given  me  this;  now  gather,  and  surmise. 

[Reads]  *  To  the  celestial  and  my  souVs  idol,  the  most 

beautified  Ophelia,^ — 

That  's  an  ill  phrase,  a  vile  phrase;  *  beautified'  is  a 

vile  phrase:  but  you  shall  hear.  Thus: 

[Reads]  ^In  her  excellent  white  bosom,  these,  etc  J 

Queen.  Came  this  from  Hamlet  to  her? 

Polonius.  Good  madam,  stay  awhile;  I  will  be  faithftd. 

[Reads]        ^  Doubt  thou  the  stars  are  fire ; 

Doubt  that  the  sun  doth  move; 
Doubt  truth  to  be  a  liar; 
But  never  doubt  I  love. 

*  O  dear  Ophelia,  I  am  ill  at  these  numbers.  I  have  not 

[50] 


Act  II  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Seene  II 

art  to  reckon  my  groans;  hut  that  I  love  thee  best,  O  most 
iesty  believe  it  Adieu. 

*  Thine  evermore,  most  dear  lady,  whilst  this 
machine  is  to  him,  Hamlet.' 
This  in  obedience  hath  my  daughter  shown  me, 
And  more  above,  hath  his  solicitings, 
As  they  fell  out  by  time,  by  means,  and  place, 
All  given  to  mine  ear. 
King.  But  how  hath  she 

Eeceiv'd  his  love? 

Polonius.  What  do  you  think  of  me? 

King.  As  of  a  man  faithful  and  honourable. 
Polonius.  I  would  fain  prove  so.  But  what  might  you 

think, 
When  I  had  seen  this  hot  love  on  the  wing — 
As  I  perceived  it,  I  must  tell  you  that, 
Before  my  daughter  told  me — what  might  you, 
Or  my  dear  majesty  your  queen  here,  think, 
If  I  had  play'd  the  desk  or  table-book. 
Or  given  my  heart  a  winking,  mute  and  dumb, 
Or  looked  upon  this  love  with  idle  sight; 
What  might  you  think?  No,  I  went  round  to  work. 
And  my  young  mistress  thus  I  did  bespeak: 
*Lord  Hamlet  is  a  prince,  out  of  thy  star; 
This  must  not  be:'  and  then  I  precepts  gave  her. 
That  she  should  lock  herself  from  his  resort. 
Admit  no  messengers,  receive  no  tokens. 
Which  done,  she  took  the  fruits  of  my  advice; 

[51] 


Act  II  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Scene  II 

And  he,  repulsed — a  short  tale  to  make — 

Fell  into  a  sadness,  then  into  a  fast. 

Thence  to  a  watch,  thence  into  a  weakness. 

Thence  to  a  lightness,  and  by  this  declension 

Into  the  madness  wherein  now  he  raves, 

And  all  we  mourn  for. 

King.  Do  you  think  't  is  this? 

Queen.  It  may  be,  very  likely. 

Polonius.  Hath  there  been  such  a  time — ^I  'd  fain  know 

that — 
That  I  have  positively  said  *'T  is  so,' 
When  it  proved  otherwise? 
King.  If  ot  that  I  know. 

Polonius.  [Pointing  to  his  head  and  shoulder]  Take  this 

from  this,  if  this  be  otherwise. 
If  circumstances  lead  me,  I  will  find 
Where  truth  is  hid,  though  it  were  hid  indeed 
Within  the  centre. 

King.  How  may  we  try  it  further? 

Polonius.  Tou  know,  sometimes  he  walks  four  hours 

together 
Here  in  the  lobby. 

Queen.  So  he  does  indeed. 

Polonius.  At  such  a  time  1 11  loose  my  daughter  to  him: 
Be  you  and  I  behind  an  arras  then; 
Mark  the  encounter:  if  he  love  her  not. 
And  be  not  from  his  reason  fall'n  thereon. 
Let  me  be  no  assistant  for  a  state, 

[52] 


Act  II  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Scene  II 

But  keep  a  farm  and  carters. 

King.  We  will  try  it. 

Enter  Hamlet,  reading. 

Queen.  But,  look,  where  sadly  the  poor  wretch  comes 

reading. 
Polonius.  Away,  I  do  beseech  you,  both  away; 
I  '11  board  him  presently. — O,  give  me  leave ; 

[^Exeunt  King,  Queen,  and  Attendants. 
How  does  my  good  Lord  Hamlet? 
Hamlet.  Well,  God-a-mercy. 
Polonius.  Do  you  know  me,  my  lord? 
Hamlet.  Excellent  well;  you  are  a  fishmonger. 
Polonius.  Not  I,  my  lord. 

Hamlet.  Then  I  would  you  were  so  honest  a  man. 
Polonius.  Honest,  my  lord! 

Hamlet.  Ay,  sir;  to  be  honest,  as  this  world  goes,  is  to 
be  one  man  picked  out  of  ten  thousand. 
Polonius.  That 's  very  true,  my  lord. 
Hamlet.  For  if  the  sun  breed  maggots  in  a  dead  dog, 
being  a  good  kissing  carrion, — Have  you  a  daughter? 
Polonius.  I  have,  my  lord. 

Hamlet.  Let  her  not  walk  i'  the  sun:  conception  is  a 
blessing;  but  not  as  your  daughter  may  conceive. — 
Friend,  look  to  't. 

Polonius.  [Aside]  How  say  you  by  that?  Still  harping 
on  my  daughter:  yet  he  knew  me  not  at  first;  he  said 
I  was  a  fishmonger;  he  is  far  gone,  far  gone:  and  truly 

[53] 


Act  II  Hamlet,  Pbestce  of  Denmark  Scene  II 

in  my  youth  I  suffered  much  extremity  for  love ;  yery 
near  this.  I  '11  speak  to  him  again. — ^What  do  you 
read,  my  lord? 

Hmnlet  Words,  words,  words. 
Polonius.  What  is  the  matter,  my  lord? 
Hamlet.  Between  who? 

Polonius.  I  mean,  the  matter  that  you  read,  my  lord. 
Hamlet.  Slanders,  sir;  for  the  satirical  rogue  says  here 
that  old  men  have  grey  beards,  that  their  faces  are 
wrinkled,  their  eyes  purging  thick  amber  and  plum- 
tree  gum,  and  that  they  have  a  plentiful  lack  of  wit, 
together  with  most  weak  hams:  all  which,  sir,  though 
I  most  powerfully  and  potently  believe,  yet  I  hold  it 
not  honesty  to  have  it  thus  set  down;  for  you  your- 
self, sir,  should  be  old  as  I  am,  if  like  a  crab  you  could 
go  backward. 

Polmiius.  [Aside']  Though  this  be  madness,  yet  there  is 
method  in  't. — ^Will  you  walk  out  of  the  air,  my  lord? 
Hamlet.  Into  my  grave? 

Polonius.  Indeed,  that  is  out  o'  the  air. — [^Aside]  How 
pregnant  sometimes  his  replies  are!  a  happiness  that 
often  madness  hits  on,  which  reason  and  sanity  could 
not  so  prosperously  be  delivered  of.  I  will  leave  him, 
and  suddenly  contrive  the  means  of  meeting  between 
him  and  my  daughter. — ^My  honourable  lord,  I  will 
most  humbly  take  my  leave  of  you. 
Hamlet.  You  cannot,  sir,  take  from  me  any  thing  that  I 
will  more  willingly  part  withal;  except  my  life,  my  life. 

[54] 


Aet  II  Hamlet,  Prince  op  Dbnmabk  Scene  II 

Polonius.  Fare  you  well,  my  lord. 
Hamlet  These  tedious  old  fools! 

JEJnter  Eosen^orantz  and  Gjjildb^stbb^. 

Polonius.  Tou  go  to  seek  the  Lord  Hamlet;  there  he  is. 
Bosencrantz.  [To  Poloniits]  God  save  you,  sirl 

[Exit  Polonius. 
Guildenstem.  My  honoured  lord! 
Rosencrantz.  My  most  dear  lord! 

Hamlet.  My  excellent  good  friends!  How  dost  thou, 
Guildenstem? — Ah,  Rosencrantz!  Good  lads,  how  do 
ye  both? 

Rosencrantz.  As  the  indifferent  children  of  the  earth. 
Chiildenstern.  Happy,  in  that  we  are  not  over-happy; 
On  Fortune's  cap  we  are  not  the  very  button. 
Hamlet.  Nor  the  soles  of  her  shoe? 
Rosencrantz.  If  either,  my  lord. 

Hamlet.  Then  you  live  about  her  waist,  or  in  the  mid- 
dle of  her  favours? 
Chiildenstern.  'Faith,  her  privates  we. 
Hamlet.  In  the  secret  parts  of  fortune?  O,  most  true; 
she  is  a  strumpet.  What 's  the  news? 
Rosencrantz.  None,  my  lord,  but  that  the  world 's  grown 
honest. 

Hamlet.  Then  is  doomsday  near;  but  your  news  is  not 
true.  Let  me  question  more  in  particular;  what  have 
you,  my  good  friends,  deserved  at  the  hands  of  For- 
tune, that  she  sends  you  to  prison  hither? 

[55] 


Act  II  Hamlet,  Pbince  of  Denmabk  Seme  II 


Gfuildemtern.  Prison,  my  lord!    ^' -^^  --  » 

Samlet  Denmark 's  a  prison. 
Rosencrantz.  Then  is  the  world  one. 
Hamlet  A  goodly  one;  in  which  there  are  many  con- 
fines, wards,  and  dungeons,  Denmark  being  one  o'  the 
worst. 

Rosencrantz.  We  think  not  so,  my  lord. 
Hamlet  Why,  then 't  is  none  to  you;  for  there  is  noth- 
ing either  good  or  bad,  but  thinking  makes  it  so:  to 
me  it  is  a  prison.  ^ 

Rosencrantz.  Why,  then  your  ambition  makes  it  one; 
't  is  too  narrow  for  your  mind. 

Hamlet.  O  God,  I  could  be  bounded  in  a  nut-shell,  and 
count  myself  a  king  of  infinite  space,  were  it  not  that 
I  have  bad  dreams. 

Ghiildenstem.  Which  dreams  indeed  are  ambition,  for 
the  very  substance  of  the  ambitious  is  merely  the 
shadow  of  a  dream. 

Hamlet.  A  dream  itself  is  but  a  shadow. 
Rosencrantz.  Truly,  and  I  hold  ambition  of  so  airy  and 
light  a  quality  that  it  is  but  a  shadow's  shadow. 
Hamlet.  Then  are  our  beggars  bodies,  and  our  mon- 
archs  and  outstretched  heroes  the  beggars'  shadows. 
Shall  we  to  the  court?  for,  by  my  fay,  I  cannot  reason. 

Rosencrantz.  )  ^tttt   m       •j. 

^  -jj     *       i  We  11  wait  upon  you. 

Gmlaenstern.  )  f      ^ 

Hamlet  Ifo  such  matter:  I  will  not  sort  you  with  the 

rest  of  my  servants;  for,  to  speak  to  you  like  an  honest 

[56] 


Act  II  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Scene  II 

man,  I  am  most  dreadfully  attended.  But,  in  the  beaten 
way  of  friendship,  what  make  you  at  Blsinore? 
Bosencrantz,  To  visit  you,  my  lord;  no  other  occasion. 
Hamlet  Beggar  that  I  am,  I  am  even  poor  in  thanks; 
but  I  thank  you:  and  sure,  dear  friends,  my  thanks 
are  too  dear  a  halfpenny.  Were  you  not  sent  for?  Is  it 
your  own  inclining?  Is  it  a  free  visitation?  Come,  deal 
justly  with  me:  come,  come;  nay,  speak. 
Ghiildenstern.  What  should  we  say,  my  lord? 
Hamlet  Why,  any  thing,  but  to  the  purpose.  You  were 
sent  for;  and  there  is  a  kind  of  confession  in  your 
looks  which  your  modesties  have  not  craft  enough  to 
colour.  I  know  the  good  king  &  queen  have  sent  for  you. 
Bosencrantz.  To  what  end,  my  lord? 
Hamlet  That  you  must  teach  me.  But  let  me  conjure 
you,  by  the  rights  of  our  fellowship,  by  the  conson- 
ancy  of  our  youth,  by  the  obligation  of  our  ever-pre- 
served love,  and  by  what  more  dear  a  better  proposer 
could  charge  you  withal,  be  even  and  direct  with  me, 
whether  you  were  sent  for,  or  no? 
Bosencrantz.  [Aside  to  Gnildenstem]  What  say  you? 
Hamlet.  [Aside]  N^ay,  then  I  have  an  eye  of  you. — If 
you  love  me,  hold  not  oflf.  V 

Guildenstern.  My  lord,  we  were  sent  for.  *t 

Hamlet.  I  will  tell  you  why;  so  shall  my  anticipation 
prevent  your  discovery,  and  your  secrecy  to  the  king 
and  queen  moult  no  feather.  I  have  of  late — but  where- 
fore I  know  not — lost  all  my  mirth,  forgone  all  custom 

[57] 


Act  II  Hamlet,  Prestce  of  Denmark  Scene  II 

of  exercises;  and  indeed  it  goes  so  heavily  with  my 
disposition  that  this  goodly  frame,  the  earth,  seems  to 
me  a  sterile  promontory;  this  most  excellent  canopy, 
the  air,  look  you,  this  brave  o'erhanging  firmament, 
this  majestical  roof  jfretted  with  golden  fire, — why,  it 
appears  no  other  thing  to  me  than  a  foul  and  pestilent 
congregation  of  vapours.  What  a  piece  of  work  is  man! 
how  noble  in  reason!  how  infinite  in  faculty!  in  form 
and  moving  how  express  and  admirable !  in  action  how 
like  an  angel!  in  apprehension  how  like  a  god!  the 
beauty  of  the  world!  the  paragon  of  animals!  And  yet, 
to  me,  what  is  this  quintessence  of  dust?  man  delights 
not  me;  no,  nor  woman  neither,  though  by  your  smil- 
ing you  seem  to  say  so. 

Rosencrantz.  My  lord,  there  was  no  such  stuff  in  my 
thoughts. 

Hamlet.  Why  did  you  laugh  then,  when  I  said  *man 
delights  me  not?' 

Rosencrantz.  To  think,  my  lord,  if  you  delight  not  in 
man,  what  lenten  entertainment  the  players  shall  re- 
ceive from  you;  we  coted  them  on  the  way,  and  hither 
are  they  coming  to  offer  you  service. 
Hamlet.  He  that  plays  the  king  shall  be  welcome ;  his 
majesty  shall  have  tribute  of  me;  the  adventurous 
knight  shall  use  his  foil  and  target;  the  lover  shall  not 
sigh  gratis;  the  humorous  man  shall  end  his  part  in 
peace;  the  clown  shall  make  those  laugh  whose  lungs 
are  tickle  o'  the  sere;  and  the  lady  shall  say  her  mind 

[58] 


Act  II  Hamlet,  Pkince  of  Denmark  Scene  II 

freely,  or  the  blank  verse  shall  halt  for  't.  What  players 
are  they? 

Bosencrantz.  Even  those  you  were  wont  to  take  delight 
in,  the  tragedians  of  the  city. 

Hamlet  How  chances  it  they  travel?  their  residence, 
both  in  reputation  and  profit,  was  better  both  ways. 
Bosencrantz.  I  think  their  inhibition  comes  by  the  means 
of  the  late  innovation.  ^^t^iwi^ 

Hamlet  Do  they  hold  the  same  estimation  they  did 
when  I  was  in  the  city?  are  they  so  followed? 
Bosencrantz,  I^o,  indeed,  are  they  not. 
Hamlet  How  comes  it?  do  they  grow  rusty? 
Bosencrantz.  N^ay,  their  endeavour  keeps  in  the  wonted 
pace ;  but  there  is,  sir,  an  aery  of  children,  little  eyases, 
that  cry  out  on  the  top  of  question,  and  are  most  ty- 
rannically clapped  for  't:  these  are  now  the  fashion, 
and  so  berattle  the  common  stages — so  they  call  them 
— that  many  wearing  rapiers  are  afraid  of  goose-quills, 
and  dare  scarce  come  thither. 

Hamlet.  What,  are  they  children?  who  maintains  'em? 
how  are  they  escoted?  Will  they  pursue  the  quality  no 
longer  than  they  can  sing?  will  they  not  say  after- 
wards, if  they  should  grow  themselves  to  common  play- 
ers— as  it  is  most  like,  if  their  means  are  no  better — 
their  writers  do  them  wrong,  to  make  them  exclaim 
against  their  own  succession?  # 

Bosencrantz.  Faith,  there  has  been  much  to-do  on  both 
sides,  and  the  nation  holds  it  no  sin  to  tarre  them  to 

[59] 


Act  II  Hamlet,  Prestce  of  Denmark  Scene  II 

controversy;  there  was  for  a  while  no  money  bid  for 
argument,  unless  the  poet  and  the  player  went  to  cuffs 
in  the  question. 
Hamlet,  Is  't  possible? 

Ghiildenstern.  O,  there  has  been  much  throwing  about 
of  brains. 

Hamlet.  Do  the  boys  carry  it  away? 
Rosencrantz.  Ay,  that  they  do,  my  lord;  Hercules  and 
his  load  too. 

Hamlet,  It  is  not  very  strange;  for  mine  uncle  is  king 
of  Denmark,  and  those  that  would  make  mows  at  him 
while  my  father  lived  give  twenty,  forty,  fifty,  an  hun- 
dred ducats  apiece  for  his  picture  in  little.  'Sblood, 
there  is  something  in  this  more  than  natural,  if  phi- 
losophy could  find  it  out.  [Flourish  of  trumpets  within. 
Chiildenstern.  There  are  the  players. 
Hamlet.  Grcntlemen,  you  are  welcome  to  Elsinore.  Tour 
hands,  come;  the  appurtenance  of  welcome  is  fashion 
and  ceremony:  let  me  comply  with  you  in  this  garb, 
lest  my  extent  to  the  players,  which,  I  tell  you,  must 
show  fairly  outward,  should  more  appear  like  enter- 
tainment than  yours.  You  are  welcome;  but  my  uncle- 
father  and  aunt-mother  are  deceived. 
Gfuildenstern.  In  what,  my  dear  lord? 
Hamlet.  I  am  but  mad  north-north-west;  when  the 
wind  is  southerly  I  know  a  hawk  from  a  handsaw. 

[60] 


Act  II  Hamlet,  Pbince  op  Denmakk  Scene  II 


Enter  PoLOifius. 

Polonim.  Well  be  with  you,  gentlemen! 
Hamlet.  Hark  you,  Guildenstern; — and  you  too; — at 
each  ear  a  hearer:  that  great  baby  you  see  there  is  not 
yet  out  of  his  swaddling-clouts. 

Rosencrantz.  Happily  he  's  the  second  time  come  to 
them;  for  they  say  an  old  man  is  twice  a  child. 
Hamlet.  I  will  prophesy  he  comes  to  tell  me  of  the 
players;  mark  it. — You  say  right,  sir:  o'  Monday  morn- 
ing; 't  was  so  indeed. 

Polonim.  My  lord,  I  have  news  to  tell  you. 
Hamlet.  My  lord,  I  have  news  to  tell  you.  When  Eos- 
cius  was  an  actor  in  Eome, — 
Polonius.  The  actors  are  come  hither,  my  lord. 
Hamlet.  Buz,  buzl 
Polonius.  Upon  mine  honour, — 
Hamlet.  Then  came  each  actor  on  his  ass, — 
Poloniits.  The  best  actors  in  the  world,  either  for  trag- 
edy, comedy,  history,  pastoral,  pastoral-comical,  his- 
torical-pastoral, tragical -historical,  tragical- comical - 
historical-pastoral,  scene  individable,  or  poem  unlim- 
ited; Seneca  cannot  be  too  heavy,  nor  Plautus  too  light. 
For  the  law  of  writ  and  the  liberty,  these  are  the  only 
men. 

Hamlet.  O  Jephthah,  judge  of  Israel,  what  a  treasure 
hadst  thou! 
Polonim.  What  treasure  had  he,  my  lordt 

[61] 


Act  II  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Seem  II 

Hamlet,  Why, 

*One  fair  daughter,  and  no  more, 
The  which  he  loved  passing  well/ 
Polonius.  [Aside]  Still  on  my  daughter. 
Hamlet.  Am  I  not  i'  the  right,  old  Jephthah? 
Polonius.  If  you  call  me  Jephthah,  my  lord,  I  have  a 
daughter  that  I  love  passing  well. 
Hamlet.  Kay,  that  follows  not. 
Polonius.  What  follows,  then,  my  lord? 
Hamlet.  Why, 

*As  by  lot,  God  wot,' 
and  then,  you  know, 

*It  came  to  pass,  as  most  like  it  was,' — 
the  first  row  of  the  pious  chanson  will  show  you  more; 
for  look,  where  my  abridgments  come. — 

Enter  four  or  five  Players. 

Tou  are  welcome,  masters;  welcome,  all.  I  am  glad  to 
see  ye  well.  Welcome,  good  friends. — O,  my  old  friend! 
thy  face  is  valanced  since  I  saw  thee  last;  comest  thou 
to  beard  me  in  Denmark? — What,  my  young  lady  and 
mistress!  By'r  lady,  your  ladyship  is  nearer  to  heaven 
than  when  I  saw  you  last,  by  the  altitude  of  a  chop- 
ine.  Pray  God,  your  voice,  like  a  piece  of  uncurrent 
gold,  be  not  cracked  within  the  ring. — ^Masters,  you 
are  all  welcome.  We  '11  e'en  to 't  like  French  falconers, 
fly  at  any  thing  we  see;  we  '11  have  a  speech  straight. 
Come,  give  us  a  taste  of  your  quality;  come,  a  passion- 
ate speech,  [62] 


Act  II  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Scene  II 

1  Player.  What  speech,  my  lord? 
Hamlet  I  heard  thee  speak  me  a  speech  once,  but  it 
it  was  never  acted;  or,  if  it  was,  not  above  once,  for 
the  play,  I  remember,  pleased  not  the  million;  't  was 
caviare  to  the  general ;  but  it  was — as  I  received  it,  and 
others,  whose  judgments  in  such  matters  cried  in  the 
top  of  mine — an  excellent  play,  well  digested  in  the 
scenes,  set  down  with  as  much  modesty  as  cunning.  I 
remember,  one  said  there  were  no  sallets  in  the  lines 
to  make  the  matter  savoury,  nor  no  matter  in  the 
phrase  that  might  indict  the  author  of  aflfectation;  but 
called  it  an  honest  method,  as  wholesome  as  sweet,  and 
by  very  much  more  handsome  than  fine.  One  speech  in 
it  I  chiefly  loved:  't  was  Eneas'  tale  to  Dido;  and 
thereabout  of  it  especially,  where  he  speaks  of  Priam's 
slaughter.  If  it  live  in  your  memory,  begin  at  this  line; 
let  me  see,  let  me  see — 

The  rugged  Pyrrhus,  like  the  Hyrcanian  beast, — 

't  is  not  so: — it  begins  with  *  Pyrrhus.' 

The  rugged  Pyrrhus,  he  whose  sable  arms, 

Black  as  his  purpose,  did  the  night  resemble 

When  he  lay  couched  in  the  ominous  horse, 

Hath  now  this  dread  and  black  complexion  smear'd 

With  heraldry  more  dismal:  head  to  foot 

Now  is  he  total  gules;  horridly  trick'd 

With  blood  of  fathers,  mothers,  daughters,  sons, 

Bak'd  and  impasted  with  the  parching  streets. 

That  lend  a  tyrannous  and  damned  light 

To  their  lord's  murther.  Roasted  in  wrath  and  fire, 

[63] 


Act  II  Hamlet,  Pbince  of  Denmabk  Scene  II 

And  thus  o'er-sized  with  coagulate  gore, 
With  eyes  like  carbuncles,  the  hellish  Pyrrhus 
Old  grandsire  Priam  seeks. 

So,  proceed  you. 

Polonitis.  'Fore  God,  my  lord,  well  spoken,  with  good 

accent  and  good  discretion. 

1  Player.  Anon  he  finds  him 

Striking  too  short  at  Greeks ;  his  antique  sword, 
Rebellious  to  his  arm,  lies  where  it  falls, 
Repugnant  to  command:  unequal  match'd, 
Pyrrhus  at  Priam  drives;  in  rage  strikes  wide; 
But  with  the  whiJff  and  wind  of  his  fell  sword 
The  unnerv'd  father  falls.  Then  senseless  Ilium, 
Seeming  to  feel  this  blow,  with  flaming  top 
Stoops  to  his  base,  and  with  a  hideous  crash 
Takes  prisoner  Pyrrhus'  ear;  for,  lo!  his  sword. 
Which  was  declining  on  the  milky  head 
Of  reverend  Priam,  seem'd  i'  the  air  to  stick : 
So,  as  a  painted  tyrant,  Pyrrhus  stood. 
And,  like  a  neutral  to  his  will  and  matter, 
Did  nothing. 

But,  as  we  often  see,  against  some  storm, 
A  silence  in  the  heavens,  the  rack  stand  still. 
The  bold  winds  speechless,  and  the  orb  below 
As  hush  as  death,  anon  the  dreadful  thunder 
Doth  rend  the  region ;  so,  after  Pyrrhus'  pause. 
Aroused  vengeance  sets  him  new  a-work. 
And  never  did  the  Cyclops'  hammers  fall 
On  Mars's  armour  f org'd  for  proof  eterne 
With  less  remorse  than  Pyrrhus'  bleeding  sword 
Kow  falls  on  Priam. 

[64] 


Act  II  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Scene  II 


Out,  out,  thou  strumpet.  Fortune !  All  you  gods, 
In  general  synod,  take  away  her  power; 
Break  all  the  spokes  and  fellies  from  her  wheel, 
And  bowl  the  round  nave  down  the  hill  of  heaven 
As  low  as  to  the  fiends! 

Polonim.  This  is  too  long. 

Hamlet  It  shall  to  the  barber's,  with  your  beard. — 

Prithee,  say  on: — he  's  for  a  jig  or  a  tale  of  bawdry, 

or  he  sleeps. — Say  on;  come  to  Hecuba. 

1  Player.  But  who,  O,  who  had  seen  the  mobled  queen — 

Hamlet  *The  mobled  queen?' 

Polonim.  That's  good;  *  mobled  queen'  is  good. 

1  Player.  Run  barefoot  up  and  down,  threatening  the  flames 
With  bisson  rheum;  a  clout  about  that  head 
Where  late  the  diadem  stood;  and  for  a  robe, 
About  her  lank  and  all  o'er-teemed  loins, 
A  blanket,  in  the  alarm  of  fear  caught  up; 
Who  this  had  seen,  with  tongue  in  venom  steep'd, 
'Gainst  Fortune's  state  would  treason  have  pronounc'd : 
But  if  the  gods  themselves  did  see  her  then, 
When  she  saw  Pyrrhus  make  malicious  sport 
In  mincing  with  his  sword  her  husband's  limbs. 
The  instant  burst  of  clamour  that  she  made — 
Unless  things  mortal  move  them  not  at  all — 
Would  have  made  milch  the  burning  eyes  of  heaven 
And  passion  in  the  gods. 

Polonius.  Look,  whether  he  has  not  turned  his  colour 
and  has  tears  in  's  eyes. — Pray  you,  no  more. 
Hamlet  'T  is  well,  I  '11  have  thee  speak  out  the  rest 
soon. — Good  my  lord,  will  you  see  the  players  well 

[65] 


Act  II  Hamlet,  Prince  op  Denmark  Se&ae  II 

bestowed?  Do  you  hear,  let  them  be  well  used,  for  they 
are  the  abstract  and  brief  chronicles  of  the  time ;  after 
your  death  you  were  better  have  a  bad  epitaph  than 
their  ill  report  while  you  live. 

Polonim,  My  lord,  I  will  use  them  according  to  their 
desert. 

Hamlet.  God's  bodykins,  man,  much  better!  Use  every 
man  after  his  desert,  and  who  should  scape  whipping? 
Use  them  after  your  own  honour  and  dignity;  the  less 
they  deserve,  the  more  merit  is  in  your  bounty.  Take 
them  in. 

Polonius.  Come,  sirs. 

Hamlet  Follow  him,  friends ;  we  '11  hear  a  play  to-mor- 
row. [Exit  Polonius  with  all  the  Players  hut  the  First] 
Dost  thou  hear  me,  old  friend;  can  you  play  the  Mur- 
ther  of  Gonzago? 
1  Player.  Ay,  my  lord. 

Hamlet  We  '11  ha  't  to-morrow  night.  You  could,  for  a 
need,  study  a  speech  of  some  dozen  or  sixteen  lines, 
which  I  would  set  down  and  insert  in  't,  could  you  not? 
1  Player.  Ay,  my  lord. 

Hamlet.  Very  well.  Follow  that  lord;  and  look  you 
mock  him  not. — [Exit  Player.]  My  good  friends,  I  '11 
leave  you  till  night;  you  are  welcome  to  Elsinore. 
Posencrantz.  Good  my  lord! 

Hamlet.  Ay,  so,  God  be  wi'  ye! — [Exeunt  Rosencrantz 
and  Gnildenstern.]  Now  I  am  alone. 
O,  what  a  rogue  and  peasant  slave  am  I ! 

[66] 


Act  II  Hamlet,  Prikce  of  Denmark  Scene  II 

Is  it  not  monstrous  that  this  player  here, 

But  in  a  fiction,  in  a  dream  of  passion, 

Could  force  his  soul  so  to  his  own  conceit 

That  from  her  working  all  his  visage  wann'd, 

Tears  in  his  eyes,  distraction  in  's  aspect, 

A  broken  voice,  and  his  whole  function  suiting 

With  forms  to  his  conceit?  and  all  for  nothing! 

For  Hecuba! 

What 's  Hecuba  to  him,  or  he  to  Hecuba, 

That  he  should  weep  for  her?  What  would  he  do, 

Had  he  the  motive  and  the  cue  for  passion 

That  I  have?  He  would  drown  the  stage  with  tears 

And  cleave  the  general  ear  with  horrid  speech, 

Make  mad  the  guilty  and  appal  the  free. 

Confound  the  ignorant,  and  amaze  indeed 

The  very  faculties  of  eyes  and  ears. 

Yet  I, 

A  dull  and  muddy-mettled  rascal,  peak, 

Like  John-a-dreams,  unpregnant  of  my  cause, 

And  can  say  nothing;  no,  not  for  a  king, 

Upon  whose  property  and  most  dear  life 

A  damn'd  defeat  was  made.  Am  I  a  coward? 

Who  calls  me  villain?  breaks  my  pate  across? 

Plucks  off  my  beard,  and  blows  it  in  my  face? 

Tweaks  me  by  the  nose?  gives  me  the  lie  i'  the  throat, 

As  deep  as  to  the  lungs?  who  does  me  this? 

Ha! 

'Swounds,  I  should  take  it;  for  it  cannot  be 

But  I  am  pigeon-liver'd  and  lack  gall 

[67] 


Act  II  Hamlet,  Peikce  of  Denmark  Seem  II 

To  make  oppression  bitter,  or  ere  this 
I  should  have  fatted  all  the  region  kites 
With  this  slave's  offal.  Bloody,  bawdy  villain! 
Remorseless,  treacherous,  lecherous,  kindless  villain! 

0  vengeance! 

Why,  what  an  ass  am  I!  This  is  most  brave. 

That  I,  the  son  of  a  dear  father  murther'd. 

Prompted  to  my  revenge  by  heaven  and  hell. 

Must,  like  a  whore,  unpack  my  heart  with  words. 

And  fall  a-cursing,  like  a  very  drab, 

A  scullion! 

Fie  upon  't !  foh !  About,  my  brain !  I  have  heard 

That  guilty  creatures  sitting  at  a  play 

Have  by  the  very  cunning  of  the  scene 

Been  struck  so  to  the  soul  that  presently 

They  have  proclaimed  their  malefactions; 

For  murther,  though  it  have  no  tongue,  will  speak 

With  most  miraculous  organ.  I  '11  have  these  players 

Play  something  like  the  murther  of  my  father 

Before  mine  uncle:  I  '11  observe  his  looks; 

1  '11  tent  him  to  the  quick:  if  he  but  blench, 

I  know  my  course.  The  spirit  that  I  have  seen 
May  be  the  devil;  and  the  devil  hath  power 
To  assume  a  pleasing  shape;  yea,  and  perhaps 
Out  of  my  weakness  and  my  melancholy, 
As  he  is  very  potent  with  such  spirits. 
Abuses  me  to  damn  me.  I  '11  have  grounds 
More  relative  than  this ;  the  play  's  the  thing 
Wherein  I  '11  catch  the  conscience  of  the  king.    \Exit. 

[68] 


ACT     THKEE 


ACT  III. 

Scene  I.  A  Room  in  the  Castle. 

Enter   KiifG,    Queen,    Polonius,    Ophelia,   Eosen- 

OEANTZ,    and  GUILDENSTERN. 

King.  And  can  you,  by  no  drift  of  circumstance, 

Get  from  him  why  he  puts  on  this  conftision. 

Grating  so  harshly  all  his  days  of  quiet 

With  turbulent  and  dangerous  lunacy? 

Bosencrantz.  He  does  confess  he  feels  himself  distracted; 

But  from  what  cause  he  will  by  no  means  speak. 

Ghiildenstem.  Nor  do  we  find  him  forward  to  be  sounded. 

But,  with  a  crafty  madness,  keeps  aloof, 

When  we  would  bring  him  on  to  some  confession 

Of  his  true  state. 

Queen.  Did  he  receive  you  well? 

Rosencrantz.  Most  like  a  gentleman. 

Ghiildenstem.  But  with  much  forcing  of  his  disposition. 

Rosenerantz.  Mggard  of  question,  but  of  our  demands 

Most  free  in  his  reply. 

Queen.  Did  you  assay  him 

To  any  pastime? 

Rosencrantz.  Madam,  it  so  fell  out  that  certain  players 

We  o'er-raught  on  the  way;  of  these  we  told  him. 

And  there  did  seem  in  him  a  kind  of  joy 

To  hear  of  it.  They  are  about  the  court. 

And,  as  I  think,  they  have  already  order 

[73] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Pbince  of  Denmabk  Scene  I 

This  night  to  play  before  him. 

Polonius.  'T  is  most  true; 

And  he  beseech'd  me  to  entreat  your  majesties 

To  hear  and  see  the  matter. 

King.  With  all  my  heart;  and  it  doth  much  content  me 

To  hear  him  so  inclin'd. — 

Good  gentlemen,  give  him  a  further  edge, 

And  drive  his  purpose  on  to  these  delights. 

Rosmcrantz,  We  shall,  my  lord. 

[^Exeunt  Bosencrantz  and  Ghiildenstern. 
King,  Sweet  Gertrude,  leave  us  too; 

For  we  have  closely  sent  for  Hamlet  hither, 
That  he,  as  't  were  by  accident,  may  here 
Affront  Ophelia. 

Her  father  and  myself,  lawful  espials. 
Will  so  bestow  ourselves  that,  seeing  unseen, 
We  may  of  their  encounter  frankly  judge, 
And  gather  by  him,  as  he  is  behav'd. 
If  't  be  the  affliction  of  his  love  or  no 
That  thus  he  suffers  for. 
Queen,  I  shall  obey  you. — 

And  for  your  part,  Ophelia,  I  do  wish 
That  your  good  beauties  be  the  happy  cause 
Of  Hamlet's  wildness;  so  shall  I  hope  your  virtues 
Will  bring  him  to  his  wonted  way  again, 
To  both  your  honours. 

Ophelia.  Madam,  I  wish  it  may.  \Exit  Queen. 

Polonius.  Ophelia,  walk  you  here. — Gracious,  so  please 

you,  [74] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Pbincb  of  Denmark  Scene  I 

We  will  bestow  ourselves.  [To  Ophelia]  Eead  on  this 

book; 
That  show  of  such  an  exercise  may  colour 
Your  loneliness.  We  are  oft  to  blame  in  this — 
'T  is  too  much  prov'd — ^that  with  devotion's  visage 
And  pious  action  we  do  sugar  o'er 
The  devil  himself. 
King.  [Aside]  O,  't  is  too  true ! 

How  smart  a  lash  that  speech  doth  give  my  conscience! 
The  harlot's  cheek,  beautied  with  plastering  art, 
Is  not  more  ugly  to  the  thing  that  helps  it 
Than  is  my  deed  to  my  most  painted  word. 
O  heavy  burthen! 

Polonius,  I  hear  him  coming;  let  's  withdraw,  my  lord. 

[Exeunt  King  and  Polonius. 

Enter  Hamlet. 

Hamlet  To  be,  or  not  to  be, — ^that  is  the  question : 

Whether 't  is  nobler  in  the  mind  to  suffer 

The  slings  and  arrows  of  outrageous  fortune. 

Or  to  take  arms  against  a  sea  of  troubles. 

And  by  opposing  end  them?  To  die, — ^to  sleep, — 

^o  more;  and  by  a  sleep  to  say  we  end 

The  heart-ache  and  the  thousand  natural  shocks 

That  flesh  is  heir  to, — 't  is  a  consummation 

Devoutly  to  be  wish'd.  To  die, — ^to  sleep, — 

To  sleep!  perchance  to  dream!  ay,  there  's  the  rub; 

For  in  that  sleep  of  death  what  dreams  may  come 

[75] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Seme  I 

When  we  have  shuffled  off  this  mortal  coil, 

Must  give  us  pause:  there  's  the  respect 

That  makes  calamity  of  so  long  life; 

For  who  would  bear  the  whips  and  scorns  of  time, 

The  oppressor's  wrong,  the  proud  man's  contumely. 

The  pangs  of  dispriz'd  love,  the  law's  delay. 

The  insolence  of  office,  and  the  spurns 

That  patient  merit  of  the  unworthy  takes, 

When  he  himself  might  his  quietus  make 

With  a  bare  bodkin?  who  would  fardels  bear, 

To  grunt  and  sweat  under  a  weary  life, 

But  that  the  dread  of  something  after  death. 

The  undiscover'd  country  from  whose  bourn 

No  traveller  returns,  puzzles  the  will. 

And  makes  us  rather  bear  those  ills  we  have 

Than  fly  to  others  that  we  know  not  of? 

Thus  conscience  does  make  cowards  of  us  all; 

And  thus  the  native  hue  of  resolution 

Is  sicklied  o'er  with  the  pale  cast  of  thought. 

And  enterprises  of  great  pith  and  moment 

With  this  regard  their  currents  turn  awry. 

And  lose  the  name  of  action. — Soft  you  now! 

The  fair  Ophelia! — ^Ifymph,  in  thy  orisons 

Be  all  my  sins  remember'd. 

Ophelia.  Good  my  lord. 

How  does  your  honour  for  this  many  a  day?   • 

Hamlet  I  humbly  thank  you;  well,  well,  well. 

Ophelia.  My  lord,  I  have  remembrances  of  yours, 

[76] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Scene  I 

That  I  have  longed  long  to  re-deliver; 

I  pray  you,  now  receive  them. 

Hamlet  Ifo,  not  I; 

I  never  gave  you  aught. 

Ophelia,  My  honoured  lord,  I  know  right  well  you  did; 

And  with  them  words  of  so  sweet  breath  composed 

As  made  the  things  more  rich:  their  perfume  lost. 

Take  these  again;  for  to  the  noble  mind 

Eich  gifts  wax  poor  when  givers  prove  unkind. 

There,  my  lord. 

Hamlet,  Ha,  ha!  are  you  honest? 

Ophelia.  My  lord? 

Hamlet  Are  you  fair? 

Ophelia.  What  means  your  lordship? 

Hamlet.  That  if  you  be  honest  and  fair,  your  honesty 

should  admit  no  discourse  to  your  beauty. 

Ophelia.  Could  beauty,  my  lord,  have  better  commerce 

than  with  honesty? 

Hamlet.  Ay,  truly;  for  the  power  of  beauty  will  sooner 

transform  honesty  from  what  it  is  to  a  bawd  than  the 

force  of  honesty  can  translate  beauty  into  his  likeness: 

this  was  sometime  a  paradox,  but  now  the  time  gives 

it  proof.  I  did  love  you  once. 

Ophelia.  Indeed,  my  lord,  you  made  me  believe  so. 

Hamlet.  You  should  not  have  believed  me;  for  virtue 

cannot  so  inoculate  our  old  stock  but  we  shall  relish  of 

it:  I  loved  you  not. 

Ophelia.  I  was  the  more  deceived. 

[77] 


Aet  III  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Scene  I 

Hamlet.  Get  thee  to  a  nunnery;  why  wouldst  thou  be  a 
breeder  of  sinners?  I  am  myself  indifferent  honest;  but 
yet  I  could  accuse  me  of  such  things  that  it  were  bet- 
ter my  mother  had  not  borne  me:  I  am  very  proud, 
reyengeful,  ambitious,  with  more  offences  at  my  beck 
than  I  have  thoughts  to  put  them  in,  imagination  to 
give  them  shape,  or  time  to  act  them  in.  What  should 
such  fellows  as  I  do  crawling  between  earth  and  heav- 
en? We  are  arrant  knaves,  all;  believe  none  of  us.  Go 
thy  ways  to  a  nunnery.  Where 's  your  father? 
Ophelia.  At  home,  my  lord. 

Hamlet.  Let  the  doors  be  shut  upon  him,  that  he  may 
play  the  fool  no  where  but  in  's  own  house.  Farewell. 
Ophelia.  [Aside']  O,  help  him,  you  sweet  heavens! 
Hamlet.  If  thou  dost  marry,  I  '11  give  thee  this  plague 
for  thy  dowry:  be  thou  as  chaste  as  ice,  as  pure  as 
snow,  thou  shalt  not  escape  calumny.  Get  thee  to  a 
nunnery,  go;  farewell.  Or,  if  thou  wilt  needs  marry, 
marry  a  fool;  for  wise  men  know  well  enough  what 
monsters  you  make  of  them.  To  a  nunnery,  go;  and 
quickly  too.  Farewell. 

Ophelia.  [Aside]  O  heavenly  powers,  restore  him! 
Hamlet.  I  have  heard  of  your  paintings  too,  well  enough ; 
God  has  given  you  one  face,  and  you  make  yourselves 
another:  you  jig,  you  amble,  and  you  lisp,  and  nick- 
name God's  creatures,  and  make  your  wantonness  your 
ignorance.  Go  to,  I  '11  no  more  on  't;  it  hath  made  me 
mad.  I  say,  we  will  have  no  more  marriages:  those  that 

[78] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Pbincb  of  Denmaek  Scene  I 

are  married  already,  all  but  one,  shall  live;  the  rest 
shall  keep  as  they  are.  To  a  nunnery,  go.  [Exit 

Ophelia.  O,  what  a  noble  mind  is  here  overthrown! 
The  courtier's,  scholar's,  soldier's,  eye,  tongue,  sword; 
The  expectancy  and  rose  of  the  fair  state. 
The  glass  of  fashion  and  the  mould  of  form. 
The  observ'd  of  all  observers,  quite,  quite  down! 
And  I,  of  ladies  most  deject  and  wretched, 
That  suck'd  the  honey  of  his"  music  vows, 
IS^ow  see  that  noble  and  most  sovereign  reason. 
Like  sweet  bells  jangled  out  of  tune,  and  harsh; 
That  unmatch'd  form  and  feature  of  blown  youth 
Blasted  with  ecstasy:  O,  woe  is  me. 
To  have  seen  what  I  have  seen,  see  what  I  seel 

Enter  King  and  Polokius. 

King.  Love!  his  affections  do  not  that  way  tend; 

Nor  what  he  spake,  though  it  lack'd  form  a  little, 

Was  not  like  madness.  There  's  something  in  his  soul 

O'er  which  his  melancholy  sits  on  brood. 

And  I  do  doubt  the  hatch  and  the  disclose 

Will  be  some  danger;  which  for  to  prevent, 

I  have  in  quick  determination  ' 

Thus  set  it  down:  he  shall  with  speed  to  England, 

For  the  demand  of  our  neglected  tribute. 

Haply  the  seas  and  countries  different 

With  variable  objects  shall  expel 

This  something-settled  matter  in  his  heart, 

[79] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Scene  II 


Whereon  Ms  brains  still  beating  puts  him  thus 

From  fashion  of  himself.  What  think  you  on  't? 

Polonim.  It  shall  do  well;  but  yet  do  I  believe 

The  origin  and  commencement  of  his  grief 

Sprung  from  neglected  love. — How  now,  Ophelia! 

You  need  not  tell  us  what  Lord  Hamlet  said; 

We  heard  it  all. — ^My  lord,  do  as  you  please; 

But,  if  you  hold  it  fit,  after  the  play 

Let  his  queen  mother  all  alone  entreat  him 

To  show  his  grief:  let  her  be  round  with  him; 

And  I  '11  be  plac'd,  so  please  you,  in  the  ear 

Of  all  their  conference.  If  she  finds  him  not. 

To  England  send  him,  or  confine  him  where 

Your  wisdom  best  shall  think. 

King.  It  shall  be  so; 

Madness  in  great  ones  must  not  unwatch'd  go.  [Exeunt. 

Scene  II.  A  Hall  in  the  Castle. 

Enter  Hamlet  and  Players. 

Hamlet.  Speak  the  speech,  I  pray  you,  as  I  pronounced 
it  to  you,  trippingly  on  the  tongue;  but  if  you  mouth 
it,  as  many  of  your  players  do,  I  had  as  lief  the  town- 
crier  spoke  my  lines.  Kor  do  not  saw  the  air  too  much 
with  your  hand,  thus,  but  use  all  gently;  for  in  the 
very  torrent,  tempest,  and,  as  I  may  say,  the  whirl- 
wind of  passion,  you  must  acquire  and  beget  a  tem- 
perance that  may  give  it  smoothness.  O,  it  offends  me 

[80] 


Act  III  HAMiiET,  Prince  of  Denmark  Scene  II 

to  the  soul  to  hear  a  robustious  periwig-pated  fellow 
tear  a  passion  to  tatters,  to  very  rags,  to  split  the  ears 
of  the  groundlings,  who  for  the  most  part  are  capable 
of  nothing  but  inexplicable  dumb-shows  and  noise.  I 
could  have  such  a  fellow  whipped  for  o'erdoing  Term- 
agant; it  out-herods  Herod:  pray  you,  avoid  it. 
1  Player.  I  warrant  your  honour. 

Hamlet  Be  not  too  tame  neither,  but  let  your  own  dis- 
cretion be  your  tutor:  suit  the  action  to  the  word,  the 
word  to  the  action;  with  this  special  observance,  that 
you  o'erstep  not  the  modesty  of  nature;  for  any  thing 
so  overdone  is  from  the  purpose  of  playing,  whose  end, 
both  at  the  first  and  now,  was  and  is,  to  hold,  as  't 
were,  the  mirror  up  to  nature ;  to  show  virtue  her  own 
feature,  scorn  her  own  image,  and  the  very  age  and 
body  of  the  time  his  form  and  pressure.  ISow  this  over- 
done, or  come  tardy  off,  though  it  make  the  unskilful 
laugh,  cannot  but  make  the  judicious  grieve;  the  cen- 
sure of  the  which  one  must  in  your  allowance  o'erweigh 
a  whole  theatre  of  others.  O,  there  be  players  that  I 
have  seen  play,  and  heard  others  praise,  and  that 
highly,  not  to  speak  it  profanely,  that,  neither  having 
the  accent  of  Christians  nor  the  gait  of  Christian, 
pagan,  nor  man,  have  so  strutted  and  bellowed  that  I 
have  thought  some  of  nature's  journeymen  had  made 
men  and  not  made  them  well,  they  imitated  humanity 
so  abominably. 

1  Player.  I  hope  we  have  reformed  that  indifferently 
with  us,  sir.  [8i] 


Aet  III  Hamlet,  Pbince  of  Deioiaiik  Scene  II 


Hamlet  O,  reform  it  altogether.  And  let  those  that  play 
your  clowns  speak  no  more  than  is  set  down  for  them; 
for  there  be  of  them  that  will  themselves  laugh,  to  set 
on  some  quantity  of  barren  spectators  to  laugh  too, 
though  in  the  mean  time  some  necessary  question  of 
the  play  be  then  to  be  considered:  that 's  villanous,  and 
shows  a  most  pitiful  ambition  in  the  fool  that  uses  it. 
Go,  make  you  ready.  [Exeunt  Players. 

Enter  PoLOisrius,  Eosei^ceajs^tz,  and  GtUILdei^steen^. 

How  now,  my  lord!  will  the  king  hear  this  piece  of 

work? 

Polonim.  And  the  queen  too,  and  that  presently. 

Hamlet.  Bid  the  players  make  haste. — [Exit  Polonius.] 

Will  you  two  help  to  hasten  them? 

Bosencrantz.  >  .r^^  ^.^   __  ,  ^-j 
r^  -ij     X        \  We  will,  my  lord. 
Ghiildenstern.  )  *^ 

[Exeunt  Rosencrantz  and  Ghiildenstern. 

Hamlet.  What  ho!  Horatio? 

Enter  Hoeatio. 

Horatio.  Here,  sweet  lord,  at  your  service. 

Hamlet.  Horatio,  thou  art  e'en  as  just  a  man 

As  e'er  my  conversation  cop'd  withal. 

Horatio.  O,  my  dear  lord, — 

Hamlet.  ^ay,  do  not  think  I  flatter; 

For  what  advancement  may  I  hope  from  thee 

That  no  revenue  hast  but  thy  good  spirits, 

[82] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Seene  II 

To  feed  and  clothe  thee?  Why  should  the  poor  be  flat- 
tered? 
N"o,  let  the  candied  tongue  lick  absurd  pomp, 
And  crook  the  pregnant  hinges  of  the  knee 
Where  thrift  may  follow  fawning.  Dost  thou  hear? 
Since  my  dear  soul  was  mistress  of  her  choice 
And  could  of  men  distinguish,  her  election 
Hath  seard  thee  for  herself;  for  thou  hast  been 
As  one,  in  suffering  all,  that  suffers  nothing, 
A  man  that  fortune's  buffets  and  rewards 
Hath  ta'en  with  equal  thanks:  and  blest  are  those 
Whose  blood  and  judgment  are  so  well  commingled 
That  they  are  not  a  pipe  for  Fortune's  finger 
To  sound  what  stop  she  please.  Give  me  that  man 
That  is  not  passion's  slave,  and  I  will  wear  him 
In  my  heart's  core,  ay,  in  my  heart  of  heart, 
As  I  do  thee. — Something  too  much  of  this. — 
There  is  a  play  to-night  before  the  king; 
One  scene  of  it  comes  near  the  circumstance 
Which  I  have  told  thee  of  my  father's  death. 
I  prithee,  when  thou  seest  that  act  afoot, 
Even  with  the  very  comment  of  thy  soul 
Observe  mine  uncle;  if  his  occulted  guilt 
Do  not  itself  unkennel  in  one  speech, 
It  is  a  damned  ghost  that  we  have  seen, 
And  my  imaginations  are  as  foul 
As  Yulcan's  stithy.  Give  him  heedful  note; 
For  I  mine  eyes  will  rivet  to  his  face, 

[83] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Scene  II 

And  after  we  will  both  our  judgments  join 

In  censure  of  his  seeming. 

Horatio.  Well,  my  lord; 

If  he  steal  aught  the  whilst  this  play  is  playing, 

And  scape  detecting,  I  will  pay  the  theft. 

Hamlet.  They  are  coming  to  the  play;  I  must  be  idle: 

Get  you  a  place. 

Danish  march.  A  flourish.  Enter  EIing,  Queen,  Polon- 
lus,  Ophelia,  Eosenceantz,  Guildensteen,  cfe  others. 

King.  How  fares  our  cousin  Hamlet? 

Hamlet.  Excellent,  i'  faith;  of  the  chameleon's  dish:  I  eat 

the  air,  promise-crammed;  you  cannot  feed  capons  so. 

King.  I  have  nothing  with  this  answer,  Hamlet;  these 

words  are  not  mine. 

Hamlet.  I^o,  nor  mine  now. — [To  Polonius]  My  lord,  you 

played  once  i'  the  university,  you  say? 

Polonius.  That  did  I,  my  lord,  and  was  accounted  a 

good  actor. 

Hamlet.  What  did  you  enact? 

Polonius.  I  did  enact  Julius  Caesar:  I  was  killed  i'  the 

Capitol;  Brutus  killed  me. 

Hamlet.  It  was  a  brute  part  of  him  to  kill  so  capital  a 

calf  there. — Be  the  players  ready? 

Rosencrantz.  Ay,  my  lord;  they  stay  upon  your  patience. 

Quern.  Come  hither,  my  dear  Hamlet,  sit  by  me. 

Hamlet.  No,  good  mother,  here  's  metal  more  attractive. 

Polonius.  [To  the  King]  O,  ho!  do  you  mark  that? 

[84] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmabk  Scene  II 

Hamlet  Lady,  shall  I  lie  in  your  lap? 

[Lying  down  at  Ophelia^ 8  feet 
Ophelia.  ]N'o,  my  lord. 
Hamlet  I  mean,  my  head  upon  your  lap? 
Ophelia,  Ay,  my  lord. 

Hamlet  Do  you  think  I  meant  country  matters? 
Ophelia.  I  think  nothing,  my  lord. 
Hamlet  That 's  a  fair  thought  to  lie  between  maids' 
legs. 

Ophelia.  What  is,  my  lord? 
Hamlet.  ^STothing. 
Ophelia.  You  are  merry,  my  lord. 
Hamlet  Who,  I? 
Ophelia.  Ay,  my  lord. 

Hamlet.  O  Grod,  your  only  jig-maker.  What  should  a 
man  do  but  be  merry?  for,  look  you,  how  cheerfully 
my  mother  looks,  and  my  father  died  within  these  two 
hours. 

Ophelia.  Nay,  't  is  twice  two  months,  my  lord. 
Hamlet.  So  long?  Nay  then,  let  the  devil  wear  black, 
for  I  '11  have  a  suit  of  sables.  O  heavens!  die  two 
months  ago,  and  not  forgotten  yet?  Then  there  's  hope 
a  great  man's  memory  may  outlive  his  life  half  a  year: 
but,  by  'r  lady,  he  must  build  churches,  then;  or  else 
shall  he  suffer  not  thinking  on,  with  the  hobby-horse, 
whose  epitaph  is  *For,  O,  for,  O,  the  hobby-horse  is 
forgot!' 

[85] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Scene  II 

Hautboys  play.  The  dumb-show  enters. 

Enter  a  King  and  a  Queen  very  lovingly ;  the  Queen  em- 
bracing him,  and  he  her.  She  Tcneels^  and  maJces  show 
of  protestation  unto  him.  He  tahes  her  up,  and  declines 
his  head  upon  her  necJc;  lays  him  down  upon  a  banJc  of 
flowers:  she,  seeing  him  asleep,  leaves  him.  Anon  comes 
in  a  fellow,  taJces  off  his  crown,  hisses  it,  and  pours 
poison  in  the  King's  ears,  and  exit.  The  Queen  returns, 
finds  the  King  dead,  and  mahes  passionate  action.  The 
Poisoner,  with  some  two  or  three  Mutes,  comes  in  again, 
seeming  to  lament  with  her.  The  dead  body  is  carried 
away.  The  Poisoner  wooes  the  Queen  with  gifts;  she 
seems  loath  and  unwilling  awhile,  but  in  the  end  accepts 
his  love.  [Exeunt. 

Ophelia.  What  means  this,  my  lord? 

Hamlet.  Marry,  this  is  miching  mallecho;  it  means 

mischief. 

Ophelia.  Belike  this  show  imports  the  argument  of  the 

play? 

Enter  Prologue. 

Hamlet.  We  shall  know  by  this  fellow:  the  players  can- 
not keep  counsel;  they  11  tell  all. 
Ophelia.  Will  he  tell  us  what  this  show  meant? 
Hamlet.  Ay,  or  any  show  that  you  '11  show  him;  be  not 
you  ashamed  to  show,  he  '11  not  shame  to  tell  you  what 
it  means. 

[86] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Pbincb  of  Denmark  Scene  II 

Ophelia,  Tou  are  naught,  you  are  naught;  I  'U  mark 

the  play. 

Prologue.      For  us,  and  for  our  tragedy. 

Here  stooping  to  your  clemency. 

We  beg  your  hearing  patiently.  [Exit. 

Hamlet.  Is  this  a  prologue,  or  the  posy  of  a  ring? 
Ophelia.  'T  is  brief,  my  lord. 
Hamlet.  As  woman's  love. 

Enter  two  Players,  King  and  Queen. 

Player  King.  Full  thirty  times  hath  Phoebus'  cart  gone  round 

Neptune's  salt  wash  and  TeUus'  orbed  ground, 

And  thirty  dozen  moons  with  borrowed  sheen 

About  the  world  have  times  twelve  thirties  been, 

Since  love  our  hearts  and  Hymen  did  our  hands 

Unite  commutual  in  most  sacred  bands. 

Player  Queen.  So  many  journeys  may  the  sun  and  moon 

Make  us  again  count  o'er  ere  love  be  done! 

But,  woe  is  me,  you  are  so  sick  of  late. 

So  far  from  cheer  and  from  your  former  state. 

That  I  distrust  you.  Yet,  though  I  distrust. 

Discomfort  you,  my  lord,  it  nothing  must; 

For  women's  fear  and  love  holds  quantity. 

In  neither  aught,  or  in  extremity. 

Now,  what  my  love  is,  proof  hath  made  you  know, 

And  as  my  love  is  siz'd,  my  fear  is  so ; 

Where  love  is  great,  the  littlest  doubts  are  fear; 

Where  little  fears  grow  great,  great  love  grows  there. 

Player  King.  Faith,  I  must  leave  thee,  love,  and  shortly  too ; 

My  operant  powers  their  functions  leave  to  do : 

[87] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Scene  II 

And  thou  shalt  live  in  this  fair  world  behind, 

Honoured,  belov'd;  and  haply  one  as  kind 

For  husband  shalt  thou — 

Player  Queen.  O,  confound  the  rest  I 

Such  love  must  needs  be  treason  in  my  breast; 

In  second  husband  let  me  be  accurst  I 

None  wed  the  second  but  who  kill'd  the  first. 

Hamlet.  [Aside]  Wormwood,  wormwood  1 

Player  Queen.  The  instances  that  second  marriage  move 
Are  base  respects  of  thrift,  but  none  of  love; 
A  second  time  I  kill  my  husband  dead, 
When  second  husband  kisses  me  in  bed. 

Player  King.  I  do  believe  you  think  what  now  you  speak. 

But  what  we  do  determine  oft  we  break. 

Purpose  is  but  the  slave  to  memory. 

Of  violent  birth,  but  poor  validity; 

Which  now,  like  fruit  unripe,  sticks  on  the  tree, 

But  fall  unshaken  when  they  mellow  be. 

Most  necessary  't  is  that  we  forget 

To  pay  ourselves  what  to  ourselves  is  debt; 

What  to  ourselves  in  passion  we  propose. 

The  passion  ending,  doth  the  purpose  lose. 

The  violence  of  either  grief  or  joy 

Their  own  enactures  with  themselves  destroy: 

Where  joy  most  revels,  grief  doth  most  lament; 

Grief  joys,  joy  grieves,  on  slender  accident. 

This  world  is  not  for  aye,  nor  't  is  not  strange 

That  even  our  loves  should  with  our  fortunes  change ; 

For  't  is  a  question  left  us  yet  to  prove. 

Whether  love  lead  fortune  or  else  fortune  love. 

The  great  man  down,  you  mark  his  favourite  flies ; 

[88] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Pbestce  op  Denmabk  Scene  II 

The  poor  advanc'd  makes  friends  of  enemies. 

And  hitherto  doth  love  on  fortune  tend; 

For  who  not  needs  shall  never  lack  a  friend, 

And  who  in  want  a  hollow  friend  doth  try 

Directly  seasons  him  his  enemy. 

But,  orderiy  to  end  where  I  begun, 

Our  wills  and  fates  do  so  contrary  run 

That  our  devices  still  are  overthrown. 

Our  thoughts  are  ours,  their  ends  none  of  our  own; 

So  think  thou  wilt  no  second  husband  wed, 

But  die  thy  thoughts  when  thy  first  lord  is  dead. 

Player  Queen.  Nor  earth  to  me  give  food,  nor  heaven  light  I 

Sport  and  repose  lock  from  me  day  and  night  I 

To  desperation  turn  my  trust  and  hope  I 

An  anchor's  cheer  in  prison  be  my  scope  I 

Each  opposite  that  blanks  the  face  of  joy 

Meet  what  I  would  have  well  and  it  destroy  I 

Both  here  and  hence  pursue  me  lasting  strife. 

If,  once  a  widow,  ever  I  be  wife ! 

Hamlet  If  she  should  break  it  nowl 

Player  King.  'T  is  deeply  sworn.  Sweet,  leave  me  here  a  while ; 

My  spirits  grow  dull,  and  fain  I  would  beguile 

The  tedious  day  with  sleep.  [^Sleeps. 

Player  Queen.  Sleep  rock  thy  brain ; 

And  never  come  mischance  between  us  twain  I  [Eocit. 

Hamlet.  Madam,  how  like  you  this  play? 
Queen.  The  lady  protests  too  much,  methinks. 
Hamlet.  O,  but  she  '11  keep  her  word. 
King.  Have  you  heard  the  argument?  Is  there  no  of- 
fence in 't? 

[89] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Prikce  of  Denmark  Scene  II 

Hamlet.  ISo,  no,  they  do  but  jest,  poison  in  jest;  no  of- 
fence i'  the  world. 
King,  What  do  you  call  the  play? 
Hamlet.  The  Mouse-trap.  Marry,  how?  Tropically.  This 
play  is  the  image  of  a  murther  done  in  Vienna:  Gron- 
zago  is  the  duke's  name;  his  wife,  Baptista:  you  shall 
see  anon;  't  is  a  knavish  piece  of  work:  but  what  o' 
that?  your  majesty  and  we  that  have  free  souls,  it 
touches  us  not;  let  the  galled  jade  wince,  our  withers 
are  unwrung. — 

Enter  Lucianus. 

This  is  one  Lucianus,  nephew  to  the  king. 
Ophelia.  You  are  as  good  as  a  chorus,  my  lord. 
Hamlet.  I  could  interpret  between  you  and  your  love, 
if  I  could  see  the  puppets  dallying. 
Ophelia.  You  are  keen,  my  lord,  you  are  keen. 
Hamlet.  Begin,  murtherer;  pox,  leave  thy  damnable 
faces,  and  begin.  Come:  the  croaking  raven  doth  bel- 
low for  revenge. 
Lucianus.  Thoughts  black,  hands  apt,  drugs  fit,  and  time 

agreeing; 
Confederate  season,  else  no  creature  seeing; 
Thou  mixture  rank,  of  midnight  weeds  collected. 
With  Hecate's  ban  thrice  blasted,  thrice  infected, 
Thy  natural  magic  and  dire  property. 
On  wholesome  hf e  usurp  immediately. 

[Pours  the  poison  into  the  sleeper's  ear. 
Hamlet.  He  poisons  him  i'  the  garden  for 's  estate.  His 

[90] 


c. 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmabk  Scene  II 

name  's  Gonzago;  the  story  is  extant,  and  writ  in  choice 

Italian.  You  shall  see  anon  how  the  murtherer  gets  the 

love  of  Gonzago's  wife. 

Ophelia.  The  king  rises! 

Hamlet  What,  frighted  with  false  fire! 

Queen.  How  fares  my  lord? 

Polonius.  Give  o'er  the  play! 

King.  Give  me  some  light! — away! 

ATI.  Lights,  lights,  lights! 

[Exeunt  all  hut  Hamlet  and  Horatio. 
Hamlet.  Why,  let  the  strucken  deer  go  weep, 
The  hart  ungalled  play; 

For  some  must  watch,  while  some  must  sleep: 
So  runs  the  world  away. 
Would  not  this,  sir,  and  a  forest  of  feathers — ^if  the 
rest  of  my  fortunes  turn  Turk  with  me — with  two  Pro- 
vincial roses  on  my  razed  shoes,  get  me  a  fellowship 
in  a  cry  of  players,  sir? 
Horatio.  Half  a  share. 
Hamlet.  A  whole  one,  I. 

For  thou  dost  know,  O  Damon  dear,  * 

This  realm  dismantled  was 

Of  Jove  himself;  and  now  reigns  here 
A  very,  very — ^pajock. 
Horatio.  Tou  might  have  rhymed. 
Hamlet.  O  good  Horatio,  I  '11  take  the  ghost's  word  for 
a  thousand  pound.  Didst  perceive? 
Horatio,  Very  well,  my  lord. 

[91] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Scene  II 

Hamlet  Upon  the  talk  of  the  poisoning? 
Horatio,  I  did  very  well  note  him. 
Hamlet.  Ah,  ha!  Come,  some  music!  come,  the  record- 
ers ! — 

For  if  the  king  like  not  the  comedy, 
Why  then,  belike, — ^he  likes  it  not,  perdy. — 
Come,  some  music! 

Re-enter  Eosenceantz  and  Guildensteen. 

Ghiildemtem,  Good  my  lord,  vouchsafe  me  a  word  with 
you. 

Hamlet  Sir,  a  whole  history. 
Gnildenstern.  The  king,  sir, — 
Hamlet  Ay,  sir,  what  of  him? 

Ghiildenstern,  Is  in  his  retirement  marvellous  distem- 
pered. 

Hamlet  With  drink,  sir? 
Chiildemtem,  iSTo,  my  lord,  rather  with  choler. 
Hamlet  Tour  wisdom  should  show  itself  more  richer 
to  signify  this  to  his  doctor;  for,  for  me  to  put  him  to 
his  purgation  would  perhaps  plunge  him  into  far  more 
choler. 

Ghiildenstern.  Good  my  lord,  put  your  discourse  into 
some  frame,  and  start  not  so  wildly  from  my  affair. 
Hamlet.  I  am  tame,  sir;  pronounce. 
Ghiildenstern.  The  queen,  your  mother,  in  most  great 
affliction  of  spirit,  hath  sent  me  to  you. 
Hamlet  You  are  welcome. 

[92] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Prikce  op  Denmark  Scene  II 

Ghiildenstem.  Nay,  good  my  lord,  this  courtesy  is  not  of 
the  right  breed.  If  it  shall  please  you  to  make  me  a 
wholesome  answer,  I  will  do  your  mother's  command- 
ment; if  not,  your  pardon  and  my  return  shall  be  the 
end  of  my  business. 
Hamlet  Sir,  I  cannot. 
Ghiildenstem.  What,  my  lord? 

Hamlet  Make  you  a  wholesome  answer;  my  wit 's  dis- 
eased: but,  sir,  such  answer  as  I  can  make,  you  shall 
command, — or,  rather,  as  you  say,  my  mother;  there- 
fore no  more,  but  to  the  matter:  my  mother,  you  say, — 
Bosencrantz.  Then  thus  she  says:  your  behavior  hath 
struck  her  into  amazement  and  admiration. 
Hamlet  O  wonderful  son,  that  can  so  astonish  a  mother! 
But  is  there  no  sequel  at  the  heels  of  this  mother's  ad- 
miration? Impart. 

Bosencrantz,  She  desires  to  speak  with  you  in  her  closet, 
ere  you  go  to  bed. 

Hamlet  We  shall  obey,  were  she  ten  times  our  mother. 
Have  you  any  farther  trade  with  us? 
Bosencrantz,  My  lord,  you  once  did  love  me. 
Hamlet  So  I  do  still,  by  these  pickers  and  stealers. 
Bosencrantz,  Good  my  lord,  what  is  your  cause  of  dis- 
temper? you  do,  surely,  bar  the  door  upon  your  own 
liberty,  if  you  deny  your  griefs  to  your  friend. 
Hamlet,  Sir,  I  lack  advancement. 
Bosencrantz,  How  can  that  be,  when  you  have  the  voice 
of  the  king  himself  for  your  succession  in  Denmark? 

[93] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Pbin^ce  of  Denmark  Scene  II 

Hamlet  Ay,  sir,  but  'while  the  grass  grows,': — ^the  prov- 
erb is  something  musty. — 

Re-enter  Players  with  recorders. 

O,  the  recorders!  let  me  see  one. — To  withdraw  with 
you, — ^why  do  you  go  about  to  recover  the  wind  of  me, 
as  if  you  would  drive  me  into  a  toil? 
Gfuildenstern.  O,  my  lord,  if  my  duty  be  too  bold,  my 
love  is  too  unmannerly. 

Samlet.  I  do  not  well  understand  that.  Will  you  play 
upon  this  pipe? 

Guildenstern.  My  lord,  I  cannot. 
Hamlet.  I  pray  you, 
Chiildemtern.  Believe  me,  I  cannot. 
Hamlet.  I  do  beseech  you. 
Guildenstern.  I  know  no  touch  of  it,  my  lord. 
Hamlet.  'T  is  as  easy  as  lying;  govern  these  ventages 
with  your  fingers  and  thumb,  give  it  breath  with  your 
mouth,  and  it  will  discourse  most  eloquent  music.  Look 
you,  these  are  the  stops. 

Guildenstern.  But  these  cannot  I  command  to  any  ut- 
terance of  harmony;  I  have  not  the  skill. 
Hamlet.  Why,  look  you  now,  how  unworthy  a  thing 
you  make  of  me!  You  would  play  upon  me;  you  would 
seem  to  know  my  stops ;  you  would  pluck  out  the  heart 
of  my  mystery;  you  would  sound  me  from  my  lowest 
note  to  the  top  of  my  compass:  and  there  is  much 
music,  excellent  voice,  in  this  little  organ;  yet  cannot 

[94] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Seetie  II 

you  make  it  speak.  'Sblood,  do  you  think  I  am  easier 
to  be  played  on  than  a  pipe?  Call  me  what  instrument 
you  will,  though  you  can  fret  me,  you  cannot  play 
upon  me. — 

Enter  Polonius. 
God  bless  you,  sir  I 

Polonius.  My  lord,  the  queen  would  speak  with  you, 
and  presently. 

Hamlet  Do  you  see  yonder  cloud  that  's  almost  in 
shape  of  a  camel? 

Polonius.  By  the  mass,  and  't  is  like  a  camel,  indeed. 
Hamlet  Methinks  it  is  like  a  weasel. 
Polonius.  It  is  backed  like  a  weasel. 
Hamlet  Or  like  a  whale? 
Polonius.  Very  like  a  whale. 

Hamlet  Then  will  I  come  to  my  mother  by  and  by. — 
[Aside'\  They  fool  me  to  the  top  of  my  bent. — I  will 
come  by  and  by. 

Polonius.  I  will  say  so.  [Exit  Polonius. 

Hamlet  By  and  by  is  easily  said. — Leave  me,  friends. 

\Exeunt  all  but  Hamlet 
'T  is  now  the  very  witching  time  of  night. 
When  churchyards  yawn,  and  hell  itself  breathes  out 
Contagion  to  this  world;  now  could  I  drink  hot  blood. 
And  do  such  bitter  business  as  the  day 
Would  quake  to  look  on.  Soft  I  now  to  my  mother. 
O  heart,  lose  not  thy  nature;  let  not  ever 
The  soul  of  Nero  enter  this  firm  bosom; 

[95] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Pbikce  of  Denmabk         Scene  III 

Let  me  be  cruel,  not  unnatural. 

I  will  speak  daggers  to  her,  but  use  none; 

My  tongue  and  soul  in  this  be  hypocrites: 

How  in  my  words  soever  she  be  shent. 

To  give  them  seals  never,  my  soul,  consent!         [Exit, 

SoEis^E  III.  A  Room  in  the  Castle. 

Enter  KJDfG,  EoSEI^CEAIifTZ  and  GrUILDEI^STEBIif. 

King.  I  like  him  not,  nor  stands  it  safe  with  us 
To  let  his  madness  range.  Therefore  prepare  you; 
I  your  conmiission  will  forthwith  dispatch, 
And  he  to  England  shall  along  with  you. 
The  terms  of  our  estate  may  not  endure 
Hazard  so  near  us  as  doth  hourly  grow 
Out  of  his  lunacies. 

Ghiildenstern.  We  will  ourselves  provide; 

Most  holy  and  religious  fear  it  is 
To  keep  those  many  many  bodies  safe 
That  live  and  feed  upon  your  majesty. 
Bosencrantz.  The  single  and  peculiar  life  is  bound 
With  all  the  strength  and  armour  of  the  mind 
To  keep  itself  from  noyance;  but  much  more 
That  spirit  upon  whose  weal  depends  and  rests 
The  lives  of  many.  The  cease  of  majesty 
Dies  not  alone,  but  like  a  gulf  doth  draw 
What 's  near  it  with  it:  it  is  a  massy  wheel, 
Fix'd  on  the  summit  of  the  highest  mount, 

[96] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Prustcb  of  Denmabk        Scene  III 

To  whose  huge  spokes  ten  thousand  lesser  things 
Are  mortis'd  and  adjoin'd;  which,  when  it  falls, 
Each  small  annexment,  petty  consequence, 
Attends  the  boisterous  ruin.  Never  alone 
Did  the  king  sigh,  but  with  a  general  groan. 
King.  Arm  you,  I  pray  you,  to  this  speedy  voyage; 
For  we  will  fetters  put  upon  this  fear. 
Which  now  goes  too  free-footed. 
Rosencrantz. 
Quildenstern.  ^ 

[Exeunt  Rosencrantz  and  Chiildenstem. 


>  We  will  haste  us. 


Enter  PoLOis^ius. 

Polonim,  My  lord,  he  's  going  to  his  mother's  closet. 

Behind  the  arras  I  '11  convey  myself. 

To  hear  the  process;  I  '11  warrant  she  '11  tax  him  home: 

And,  as  you  said,  and  wisely  was  it  said, 

'T  is  meet  that  some  more  audience  than  a  mother. 

Since  nature  makes  them  partial,  should  o'erhear 

The  speech,  of  vantage.  Fare  you  well,  my  liege; 

I  '11  call  upon  you  ere  you  go  to  bed, 

And  tell  you  what  I  know. 

King.  Thanks,  dear  my  lord. 

[Exit  Polonim. 
O,  my  offence  is  rank,  it  smells  to  heaven; 
It  hath  the  primal  eldest  curse  upon  't, 
A  brother's  murther!  Pray  can  I  not. 
Though  inclination  be  as  sharp  as  will; 

[97] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Pres^ce  of  Denmark         Seme  III 

My  stronger  guilt  defeats  my  strong  intent, 

And,  like  a  man  to  double  business  bound, 

I  stand  in  pause  where  I  shall  first  begin. 

And  both  neglect.  What  if  this  cursed  hand 

Were  thicker  than  itself  with  brother's  blood, 

Is  there  not  rain  enough  in  the  sweet  heavens 

To  wash  it  white  as  snow?  Whereto  serves  mercy 

But  to  confront  the  visage  of  offence? 

And  what 's  in  prayer  but  this  twofold  force, — 

To  be  forestalled  ere  we  come  to  fall. 

Or  pardoned  being  down?  Then  I  '11  look  up; 

My  fault  is  past.  But,  O,  what  form  of  prayer 

Can  serve  my  turn?  *  Forgive  me  my  foul  murther?' 

That  cannot  be;  since  I  am  still  possessed 

Of  those  effects  for  which  I  did  the  murther. 

My  crown,  mine  own  ambition,  and  my  queen. 

May  one  be  pardon'd  and  retain  the  offence? 

In  the  corrupted  currents  of  this  world 

Offence's  gilded  hand  may  shove  by  justice, 

And  offc  't  is  seen  the  wicked  prize  itself 

Buys  out  the  law;  but 't  is  not  so  above: 

There  is  no  shuffling,  there  the  action  lies        a\n  miA 

In  his  true  nature,  and  we  ourselves  compell'd 

Even  to  the  teeth  and  forehead  of  our  faults 

To  give  in  evidence.  What  then?  what  rests? 

Try  what  repentance  can:  what  can  it  not? 

Tet  what  can  it  when  one  can  not  repent? 

O  wretched  state!  O  bosom  black  as  death! 

[98] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Pbinob  op  Denmabk         Scene  III 

O  limed  soul,  that  struggling  to  be  free 

Art  more  engag'd!  Help,  angels!  Make  assay! 

Bow,  stubborn  knees;  and,  heart  with  strings  of  steel, 

Be  soft  as  sinews  of  the  new-born  babe! 

All  may  be  well.  [Retires  and  kneels. 

Enter  Hamlet. 

Hamlet  Now  might  I  do  it  pat,  now  he  is  praying; 

And  now  I  '11  do  't. — ^And  so  he  goes  to  heaven; 

And  so  am  I  reveng'd.  That  would  be  scann'd: 

A  villain  kills  my  father;  and  for  that, 

I,  his  sole  son,  do  this  same  villain  send 

To  heaven. 

O,  this  is  hire  and  salary,  not  revenge. 

He  took  my  father  grossly,  full  of  bread. 

With  all  his  crimes  broad  blown,  as  flush  as  May; 

And  how  his  audit  stands  who  knows  save  heaven? 

But  in  our  circumstance  and  course  of  thought, 

'T  is  heavy  with  him;  and  am  I  then  reveng'd, 

To  take  him  in  the  purging  of  his  soul. 

When  he  is  fit  and  seasoned  for  his  passage? 

Ifo! 

Up,  sword,  and  know  thou  a  more  horrid  hent: 

When  he  is  drunk  asleep,  or  in  his  rage, 

Or  in  the  incestuous  pleasure  of  his  bed; 

At  gaming,  swearing,  or  about  some  act 

That  has  no  relish  of  salvation  in  't; 

Then  trip  him,  that  his  heels  may  kick  at  heaven, 

[99] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmabk         Scene  IV 

And  that  his  soul  may  be  as  damn'd  and  black 

As  hell,  whereto  it  goes.  My  mother  stays. — 

This  physic  but  prolongs  thy  sickly  days.  [JBJxit 

King.  [Bising]  My  words  fly  up,  my  thoughts  remain 

below; 
Words  without  thoughts  never  to  heaven  go.        [Exit 

SCEKE  IV.  The  Queen's  Closet 

Enter  Queei^  and  Poloi^ius. 

Polonius.  He  will  come  straight.  Look  you  lay  home  to 

him; 
Tell  him  his  pranks  have  been  too  broad  to  bear  with. 
And  that  your  grace  hath  screened  and  stood  between 
Much  heat  and  him.  I  '11  silence  me  even  here. 
Pray  you,  be  round  with  him. 
Hamlet  [Within]  Mother  1  mother!  mother! 
Queen.  I  '11  warrant  you ; 

Fear  me  not.  Withdraw,  I  hear  him  coming. 

[Polonius  hides  behind  the  arras. 

Enter  Hamlet. 

Hamlet  Kow,  mother,  what 's  the  matter? 
Queen.  Hamlet,  thou  hast  thy  father  much  offended. 
Hamlet  Mother,  you  have  my  father  much  offended. 
Queen.  Come,  come,  you  answer  with  an  idle  tongue. 
Hamlet.  Go,  go,  you  question  with  a  wicked  tongue. 
Queen.  Why,  how  now,  Hamlet! 

[100] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  PRrNCE  of  Deistmark  Scene  IV 

Hamlet,  What 's  the  matter  now? 

Queen.  Have  you  forgot  me? 

Hamlet  No,  by  the  rood,  not  so: 

You  are  the  queen,  your  husband's  brother's  wife; 
And — would  it  were  not  so! — you  are  my  mother. 
Queen.  Nay,  then,  1 11  set  those  to  you  that  can  speak. 
Hamlet.  Come,  come,  and  sit  you  down;  you  shall  not 

budge : 
You  go  not  till  I  set  you  up  a  glass 
Where  you  may  see  the  inmost  part  of  you. 
Queen.  What  wilt  thou  do?  thou  wilt  not  murther  me? 
Help,  help,  ho! 

Polonius.  [Behind]  What,  ho!  help,  help,  help! 
Hamlet.  [Drawing]  How  now!  a  rat?  Dead,  for  a  ducat, 

dead!  [Malces  a  pass  through  the  arras. 

Polonius.  [Behind]  O,  I  am  slain!  [Falls  and  dies. 

Queen.  O  me,  what  hast  thou  done? 
Hamlet.  Nay,  I  know  not; 

Is  it  the  king? 

Queen.  O,  what  a  rash  and  bloody  deed  is  this! 
Hamlet.  A  bloody  deed!  almost  as  bad,  good  mother, 
As  kill  a  king,  and  marry  with  his  brother. 
Queen.  As  kill  a  king! 
Hamlet.  Ay,  lady,  't  was  my  word. — 

[Lifts  up  the  arras  and  discovers  Polonius. 
Thou  wretched,  rash,  intruding  fool,  farewell! 
I  took  thee  for  thy  better:  take  thy  fortune; 
Thou  find'st  to  be  too  busy  is  some  danger. — 

[101] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmabk         Scene  TV 

Leave  wringing  of  your  hands:  peace!  sit  you  down, 

And  let  me  wring  your  heart;  for  so  I  shall, 

If  it  be  made  of  penetrable  stuff, 

If  damned  custom  have  not  braz'd  it  so 

That  it  is  proof  and  bulwark  against  sense. 

Queen.  What  have  I  done,  that  thou  darest  wag  thy 

tongue 
In  noise  so  rude  against  me? 
Hamlet.  Such  an  act 

That  blurs  the  grace  and  blush  of  modesty. 
Calls  virtue  hypocrite,  takes  off  the  rose 
From  the  fair  forehead  of  an  innocent  love 
And  sets  a  blister  there,  makes  marriage-vows 
As  false  as  dicers'  oaths;  O,  such  a  deed 
As  from  the  body  of  contraction  plucks 
The  very  soul,  and  sweet  religion  makes 
A  rhapsody  of  words:  heaven's  face  doth  glow,  .«.-.. 
Tea,  this  solidity  and  compound  mass,  ^§ski^^ 

With  tristful  visage,  as  against  the  doom. 
Is  thought-sick  at  the  act. 
Queen.  Ay  me,  what  act. 

That  roars  so  loud  and  thunders  in  the  index? 
Hamlet.  Look  here,  upon  this  picture,  and  on  this. 
The  counterfeit  presentment  of  two  brothers. 
See,  what  a  grace  was  seated  on  this  brow: 
Hyperion's  curls;  the  front  of  Jove  himself; 
An  eye  like  Mars,  to  threaten  and  command; 
A  station  like  the  herald  Mercury 

[102] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Scene  IV 

New-lighted  on  a  heaven-kissing  hill; 

A  combination  and  a  form  indeed, 

Where  every  god  did  seem  to  set  his  seal, 

To  give  the  world  assurance  of  a  man. 

This  was  your  husband.  Look  you  now,  what  follows: 

Here  is  your  husband;  like  a  mildew'd  ear. 

Blasting  his  wholesome  brother.  Have  you  eyes? 

Could  you  on  this  fair  mountain  leave  to  feed. 

And  batten  on  this  moor?  Ha!  have  you  eyes? 

You  cannot  call  it  love,  for  at  your  age 

The  hey-day  in  the  blood  is  tame,  it 's  humble. 

And  waits  upon  the  judgment;  and  what  judgment 

Would  step  from  this  to  this?  Sense,  sure,  you  have. 

Else  could  you  not  have  motion;  but  sure,  that  sense 

Is  apoplex'd:  for  madness  would  not  err, 

Nor  sense  to  ecstasy  was  ne'er  so  thrall'd 

But  it  reserved  some  quantity  of  choice, 

To  serve  in  such  a  difference.  What  devil  was  't 

That  thus  hath  cozen'd  you  at  hoodman-blind? 

Eyes  without  feeling,  feeling  without  sight. 

Ears  without  hands  or  eyes,  smelling  sans  all, 

Or  but  a  sickly  part  of  one  true  sense 

Could  not  so  mope. 

O  shame!  where  is  thy  blush?  Rebellious  hell. 

If  thou  canst  mutine  in  a  matron's  bones. 

To  flaming  youth  let  virtue  be  as  wax. 

And  melt  in  her  own  fire;  proclaim  no  shame 

When  the  compulsive  ardour  gives  the  charge, 

[103] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Pbince  of  Denmabk         Scene  TV 

Since  frost  itself  as  actively  doth  burn, 

And  reason  panders  will. 

Queen,  O  Hamlet,  speak  no  more; 

Thou  tum'st  mine  eyes  into  my  very  soul, 

And  there  I  see  such  black  and  grained  spots 

As  will  not  leave  their  tinct. 

Hamlet,  I^ay,  but  to  live 

In  the  rank  sweat  of  an  enseamed  bed; 

Stew'd  in  corruption;  honeying,  and  making  love 

Over  the  nasty  stye; — 

Queen,  O,  speak  to  me  no  more; 

These  words  like  daggers  enter  in  mine  ears: 

No  more,  sweet  Hamlet! 

Hamlet,  A  murtherer  and  a  villain; 

A  slave  that  is  not  twentieth  part  the  tithe 

Of  your  precedent  lord;  a  vice  of  kings; 

A  cutpurse  of  the  empire  and  the  rule. 

That  from  a  shelf  the  precious  diadem  stole. 

And  put  it  in  his  pocket! 

Queen,  Ko  more! 

Hamlet,  A  king  of  shreds  and  patches, — 

Enter  Ghost. 

Save  me,  and  hover  o'er  me  with  your  wings, 

Tou  heavenly  guards! — What  would  your  gracious 

figure? 
Queen,  Alas!  he  's  mad! 
Hamlet,  Do  you  not  come  your  tardy  son  to  chide, 

[104] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Pkencb  of  Denmabk         Scene  IV 

That,  lapsed  in  time  and  passion,  lets  go  by 

The  important  acting  of  your  dread  command? 

O,  say! 

Ohost.  Do  not  forget.  This  visitation 

Is  but  to  whet  thy  almost  blunted  purpose. 

But,  look,  amazement  on  thy  mother  sits: 

O,  step  between  her  and  her  fighting  soul; 

Conceit  in  weakest  bodies  strongest  works. 

Speak  to  her,  Hamlet. 

Hamlet  How  is  it  with  you,  lady? 

Queen.  Alas,  how  is 't  with  you. 

That  you  do  bend  your  eye  on  vacancy 

And  with  the  incorporal  air  do  hold  discourse? 

Forth  at  your  eyes  your  spirits  wildly  peep; 

And,  as  the  sleeping  soldiers  in  the  alarm, 

Your  bedded  hair,  like  life  in  excrements. 

Starts  up,  and  stands  on  end.  O  gentle  son. 

Upon  the  heat  and  flame  of  thy  distemper 

Sprinkle  cool  patience.  Whereon  do  you  look? 

Hamlet  On  him,  on  him!  Look  you,  how  pale  he  glares! 

His  form  and  cause  conjoined,  preaching  to  stones. 

Would  make  them  capable. — ^Do  not  look  upon  me; 

Lest  with  this  piteous  action  you  convert 

My  stern  effects:  then  what  I  have  to  do 

Will  want  true  colour;  tears  perchance  for  blood. 

Queen.  To  whom  do  you  speak  this? 

Hamlet  Do  you  see  nothing  there? 

Queen.  Nothing  at  all;  yet  all  that  is  I  see. 

[105] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Peestoe  of  Deiioiark         Scene  IV 

Hamlet.  Nor  did  you  nothing  hear? 

Queen,  No,  nothing  but  ourselves. 

Hamlet  Why,  look  you  there!  look,  how  it  steals  away! 

My  father,  in  his  habit  as  he  liv'd! 

Look,  where  he  goes,  even  now,  out  at  the  portal! 

[Exit  Ghost. 
Queen.  This  is  the  very  coinage  of  your  brain; 
This  bodiless  creation  ecstasy 
Is  very  cunning  in. 
Hamlet.  Ecstasy! 

My  pulse,  as  yours,  doth  temperately  keep  time. 
And  makes  as  healthful  music:  it  is  not  madness 
That  I  have  utter'd;  bring  me  to  the  test. 
And  I  the  matter  will  re-word,  which  madness 
Would  gambol  from.  Mother,  for  love  of  grace. 
Lay  not  that  flattering  unction  to  your  soul. 
That  not  your  trespass  but  my  madness  speaks ; 
It  will  but  skin  and  film  the  ulcerous  place, 
Whilst  rank  corruption,  mining  all  within. 
Infects  unseen.  Confess  yourself  to  heaven; 
Eepent  what 's  past,  avoid  what  is  to  come; 
And  do  not  spread  the  compost  on  the  weeds, 
To  make  them  ranker.  Forgive  me  this  my  virtue; 
For  in  the  fatness  of  these  pursy  times 
Virtue  itself  of  vice  must  pardon  beg. 
Tea,  curb  and  woo  for  leave  to  do  him  good. 
Queen.  O  Hamlet,  thou  hast  cleft  my  heart  in  twain. 
Hamlet.  O,  throw  away  the  worser  part  of  it, 

[106] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Peikcb  of  Denmakk         Scene  TV 

And  live  the  purer  with  the  other  half. 

Good  night:  but  go  not  to  mine  uncle's  bed; 

Assume  a  virtue,  if  you  have  it  not. 

That  monster,  custom,  who  all  sense  doth  eat. 

Of  habits  devil,  is  angel  yet  in  this. 

That  to  the  use  of  actions  fair  and  good 

He  likewise  gives  a  frock  or  livery. 

That  aptly  is  put  on.  Eefrain  to-night. 

And  that  shall  lend  a  kind  of  easiness 

To  the  next  abstinence:  the  next  more  easy; 

For  use  almost  can  change  the  stamp  of  nature. 

And  either  master  the  devil,  or  throw  him  out 

With  wondrous  potency.  Once  more,  good  night: 

And  when  you  are  desirous  to  be  blest, 

I  '11  blessing  beg  of  you. — For  this  same  lord, 

[Pointing  to  Polonim, 
I  do  repent;  but  heaven  hath  pleas'd  it  so. 
To  punish  me  with  this  and  this  with  me. 
That  I  must  be  their  scourge  and  minister. 
I  will  bestow  him,  and  will  answer  well 
The  death  I  gave  him. — So,  again,  good  night. 
I  must  be  cruel,  only  to  be  kind; 
Thus  bad  begins,  and  worse  remains  behind. 
One  word  more,  good  lady. 
Queen.  What  shall  I  do? 

Hamlet.  Not  this,  by  no  means,  that  I  bid  you  do: 
Let  the  bloat  king  tempt  you  again  to  bed. 
Pinch  wanton  on  your  cheek,  call  you  his  mouse; 

[107] 


Act  III  Hamlet,  Prinoe  op  Denmark         Scene  IV 

And  let  him,  for  a  pair  of  reechy  kisses, 
Or  paddling  in  your  neck  with  his  damn'd  fingers. 
Make  you  to  ravel  all  this  matter  out. 
That  I  essentially  am  not  in  madness. 
But  mad  in  craft.  'T  were  good  you  let  him  know; 
For  who,  that 's  but  a  queen,  fair,  sober,  wise. 
Would  from  a  paddock,  from  a  bat,  a  gib. 
Such  dear  concernings  hide?  who  would  do  so? 
S"o,  in  despite  of  sense  and  secrecy. 
Unpeg  the  basket  on  the  house's  top. 
Let  the  birds  fly,  and,  like  the  famous  ape, 
To  try  conclusions,  in  the  basket  creep. 
And  break  your  own  neck  down. 
Queen,  Be  thou  assur'd,  if  words  be  made  of  breath. 
And  breath  of  life,  I  have  no  life  to  breathe 
What  thou  hast  said  to  me. 
Hamlet.  I  must  to  England;  you  know  that? 
Queen.  Alack, 

I  had  forgot;  't  is  so  concluded  on. 
Hamlet.  There  's  letters  seaFd,  and  my  two  schoolfel- 
lows— 
Whom  I  will  trust  as  I  will  adders  fang'd — 
They  bear  the  mandate;  they  must  sweep  my  way. 
And  marshal  me  to  knavery.  Let  it  work; 
For  't  is  the  sport  to  have  the  enginer 
Hoist  with  his  own  petar:  and  't  shall  go  hard 
But  I  will  delve  one  yard  below  their  mines. 
And  blow  them  at  the  moon.  O,  't  is  most  sweet, 

[108] 


Aet  III  Hamlet,  Peincb  op  Denmark         Sccfm  lY 

When  in  one  line  two  crafts  directly  meet! 
This  man  shall  set  me  packing; 
I  '11  lug  the  guts  into  the  neighbour  room. 
Mother,  good  night.  Indeed  this  counsellor 
Is  now  most  still,  most  secret,  and  most  grave. 
Who  was  in  life  a  foolish  prating  knave. — 
Come,  sir,  to  draw  toward  an  end  with  you. — 
Good  night,  mother. 

\Exeunt  severally;  Hamlet  dragging  in  Polonius. 


[109] 


ACT     FOUR 


ACT  IV. 

Scene  I.  A  Boom  in  the  Castle, 

Enter  King,  Queen,  Rosenoeantz,  and  Guildbnstern. 

King.  There  's  matter  in  these  sighs:  these  profound 

heaves 
You  must  translate;  't  is  fit  we  understand  them. 
Where  is  your  son? 
Queen.  Bestow  this  place  on  us  a  little  while. — 

[Exeunt  Rosencrantz  and  Chiildenstem. 
Ah,  my  good  lord,  what  have  I  seen  to-night! 
King.  What,  Gertrude?  How  does  Hamlet? 
Queen.  Mad  as  the  sea  and  wind,  when  both  contend 
Which  is  the  mightier;  in  his  lawless  fit, 
Behind  the  arras  hearing  something  stir. 
Whips  out  his  rapier,  cries,  *A  rat,  a  rat!' 
And  in  this  brainish  apprehension  kills 
The  unseen  good  old  man. 
King.  O  heavy  deed! 

It  had  been  so  with  us,  had  we  been  there; 
His  liberty  is  full  of  threats  to  all. 
To  you  yourself,  to  us,  to  every  one. 
Alas,  how  shall  this  bloody  deed  be  answer'd? 
It  will  be  laid  to  us,  whose  providence 
Should  have  kept  short,  restrained,  and  out  of  haunt, 
This  mad  young  man ;  but  so  much  was  our  love. 
We  would  not  understand  what  was  most  fit, 

[113] 


Act  TV  Hamlet,  Pbinob  of  Denmabk  Sce/m  I 

But,  like  the  owner  of  a  foul  disease. 

To  keep  it  from  divulging,  let  it  feed 

Even  on  the  pith  of  life.  Where  is  he  gone? 

Queen.  To  draw  apart  the  body  he  hath  kill'd; 

O'er  whom  his  very  madness,  like  some  ore 

Among  a  mineral  of  metals  base, 

Shows  itself  pure.  He  weeps  for  what  is  done. 

King,  O  Gertrude,  come  away! 

The  sun  no  sooner  shall  the  mountains  touch. 

But  we  will  ship  him  hence;  and  this  vile  deed 

We  must,  with  all  our  majesty  and  skill. 

Both  countenance  and  excuse. — Ho,  Guildenstern ! 

,       Be-mter  EosEifOEAiTTZ  and  Guildensteei^. 

Friends  both,  go  join  you  with  some  farther  aid; 
Hamlet  in  madness  hath  Polonius  slain, 
And  from  his  mother's  closet  hath  he  dragg'd  him. 
Go  seek  him  out;  speak  fair,  and  bring  the  body 
Into  the  chapel.  I  pray  you,  haste  in  this. — 

^Exeunt  Bosencrantz  and  Ghiildenstern. 
Come,  Gertrude,  we  '11  call  up  our  wisest  friends. 
And  let  them  know  both  what  we  mean  to  do 
And  what 's  untimely  done ;  so,  haply,  slander — 
Whose  whisper  o'er  the  world's  diameter. 
As  level  as  the  cannon  to  his  blank. 
Transports  his  poison'd  shot — ^may  miss  our  name. 
And  hit  the  woundless  air.  O,  come  away! 
My  soul  is  full  of  discord  and  dismay.  [Exeunt 

[114] 


Act  IV  Hamlet,  Princb  of  Denmaek  Seene  II 

SoEiSTE  II.  Another  Boom  in  the  Castle. 

Enter  Hamlet. 
Hamlet.  Safely  stowed. 

Rosenerantz.  )  r^^Y^m]  Hamlet!  Lord  Hamlet! 
Ghiilaenstem.  ) 

Hamlet.  What  noise?  who  calls  on  Hamlet?  O,  here 
they  come. 

Enter  Eosei^^crantz  and  GuiLDEXSTEEiir. 

Rosenerantz.  What  have  you  done,  my  lord,  with  the 

dead  body? 
Hamlet.  Compounded  it  with  dust,  whereto  't  is  kin. 
Rosenerantz.  Tell  us  where  't  is,  that  we  may  take  it 

thence 
And  bear  it  to  the  chapel. 
Hamlet.  Do  not  believe  it. 
Rosenerantz.  Believe  what? 

Hamlet.  That  I  can  keep  your  counsel  and  not  mine 
own.  Besides,  to  be  demanded  of  a  sponge,  what  repli- 
cation should  be  made  by  the  son  of  a  king? 
Rosenerantz.  Take  you  me  for  a  sponge,  my  lord? 
Hamlet.  Ay,  sir,  that  soaks  up  the  king's  countenance, 
his  rewards,  his  authorities.  But  such  officers  do  the 
king  best  service  in  the  end;  he  keeps  them,  as  an  ape 
doth  nuts,  in  the  corner  of  his  jaw,  first  mouthed,  to 
be  last  swallowed:  when  he  needs  what  you  have 
gleaned,  it  is  but  squeezing  you,  and,  sponge,  you  shall 
be  dry  again.  [ii5] 


Act  IV  Hamlet,  Pbestcb  op  Denmabk        Scene  III 

Bosencrantz.  I  understand  you  not,  my  lord. 

Hamlet  I  am  glad  of  it;  a  kuayisli  speech  sleeps  in  a 

foolish  ear. 

Bosencrantz.  My  lord,  you  must  tell  us  where  the  body 

is,  and  go  with  us  to  the  king. 

Hamlet.  The  body  is  with  the  king,  but  the  king  is  not 

with  the  body.  The  king  is  a  thing — 

Ghiildenstern.  A  thing,  my  lord! 

Hamlet.  Of  nothing;  bring  me  to  him.  Hide  fox,  and 

all  after.  [Exeunt. 

Scene  III.  Another  Boom  in  the  Castle. 

Enter  KiifG,  attended. 

King.  I  have  sent  to  seek  him,  and  to  find  the  body. 
How  dangerous  is  it  that  this  man  goes  loose! 
Yet  must  not  we  put  the  strong  law  on  him: 
He 's  lov'd  of  the  distracted  multitude. 
Who  like  not  in  their  judgment,  but  their  eyes; 
And  where 't  is  so,  the  offender's  scourge  is  weighed. 
But  never  the  offence.  To  bear  all  smooth  and  even. 
This  sudden  sending  him  away  must  seem 
Deliberate  pause;  (fiseases  desperate  grown 
By  desperate  appliance  are  reliev'd, 
Or  not  at  all. — 

Unter  Eoseitoeazs^tz. 

How  now!  what  hath  befall'n? 
Bosencrantz.  Where  the  dead  body  is  bestow'd,  my  lord, 

[116] 


Act  TV  Hamlet,  Prinob  of  Denmark         Scene  III 

We  cannot  get  from  him. 

King,  But  where  is  he? 

Bosenerantz.  Without,  my  lord;  guarded,  to  know  your 

pleasure. 
King.  Bring  him  before  us. 
Rosencrantz.  Ho,  Guildenstern!  bring  in  my  lord. 

Enter  Hamlet  and  Guildenstern. 

King.  Now,  Hamlet,  where 's  Polonius? 
Hamlet.  At  supper. 
King.  At  supper!  where? 

Hamlet.  Ifot  where  he  eats,  but  where  he  is  eaten;  a 
certain  convocation  of  politic  worms  are  e'en  at  him. 
Your  worm  is  your  only  emperor  for  diet;  we  fat  all 
creatures  else  to  fat  us,  and  we  fat  ourselves  for  mag- 
gots. Tour  fat  king  and  your  lean  beggar  is  but  vari- 
able service,  two  dishes,  but  to  one  table;  that 's  the 
end. 

King.  Alas,  alas! 

Hamlet.  A  man  may  fish  with  the  worm  that  hath  eat 
of  a  king,  and  eat  of  the  fish  that  hath  fed  of  that 
worm. 

King.  What  dost  thou  mean  by  this? 
Hamlet.  Nothing  but  to  show  you  how  a  king  may  go 
a  progress  through  the  guts  of  a  beggar. 
King.  Where  is  Polonius? 

Hamlet.  In  heaven;  send  thither  to  see:  if  your  mes- 
senger find  him  not  there,  seek  him  i'  the  other  place 

[117] 


Act  IV  Hamlet,  Pbince  of  Denmabk         Scene  III 

yourself.  But  indeed,  if  you  find  him  not  within  this 
month,  you  shall  nose  him  as  you  go  up  the  stairs  into 
the  lobby. 

King.  Go  seek  him  there.  [To  some  Attendants. 

Hamlet.  He  will  stay  till  ye  come.    [Exeunt  Attendants. 
King.  Hamlet,  this  deed,  for  thine  especial  safety, — 
Which  we  do  tender,  as  we  dearly  grieve 
For  that  which  thou  hast  done, — ^must  send  thee  hence 
With  fiery  quickness;  therefore  prepare  thyself. 
The  bark  is  ready,  and  the  wind  at  help. 
The  associates  tend,  and  everything  is  bent 
For  England. 

Hamlet.  For  England! 

King.  Ay,  Hamlet. 

Hamlet.  Good. 

King.  So  it  is,  if  thou  knew'st  our  purposes. 
Hamlet.  I  see  a  cherub  that  sees  them. — But,  come; 
for  England! — Farewell,  dear  mother. 
King.  Thy  loving  father,  Hamlet. 

Hamlet.  My  mother:  father  and  mother  is  man  and 
wife;  man  and  wife  is  one  flesh;  and  so,  my  mother. — 
Come,  for  England!  [Kxit. 

King.  Follow  him  at  foot;  tempt  him  with  speed  aboard; 
Delay  it  not;  I  '11  have  him  hence  to-night. 
Away!  for  every  thing  is  seal'd  and  done 
That  else  leans  on  the  affair;  pray  you,  make  haste. — 

[JSxeunt  Bosencrantz  and  Ghiildenstern. 
And,  England,  if  my  love  thou  hold'st  at  aught — 

[118] 


Act  TV  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark         Seem  IV 

As  my  great  power  thereof  may  give  thee  sense, 

Since  yet  thy  cicatrice  looks  raw  and  red 

After  the  Danish  sword,  and  thy  free  awe 

Pays  homage  to  us — ^thou  may'st  not  coldly  set 

Our  sovereign  process;  which  imports  at  ftdl, 

By  letters  conjuring  to  that  effect, 

The  present  death  of  Hamlet.  Do  it,  England; 

For  like  the  hectic  in  my  blood  he  rages, 

And  thou  must  cure  me :  till  I  know 't  is  done, 

Howe'er  my  haps,  my  joys  were  ne'er  begun.        [Eocit 

Scene  IV.  A  Plain  in  Denmark. 

Enter  Foktinbeas,  a  Captain,  and  Soldiers,  marching. 

Fortinbras.  Go,  captain,  from  me  greet  the  Danish  king; 

Tell  him  that  by  his  license  Fortinbras 

Claims  the  conveyance  of  a  promised  march 

Over  his  kingdom.  You  know  the  rendezvous. 

If  that  his  majesty  would  aught  with  us. 

We  shall  express  our  duty  in  his  eye; 

And  let  him  know  so. 

Captain.  I  will  do  *t,  my  lord. 

Fortinbras.  Go  softly  on. 

[Exeunt  Fortinbras  and  Soldiers. 

Enter  Hamlet,  Eosenoeantz,  Gtjildensteen,  <fe  others. 

Hamlet.  Good  sir,  whose  powers  are  these? 
Captain.  They  are  of  Norway,  sir. 

[119] 


-JV 


Aet  IV  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark         Scene  IV 

Hamlet  How  purposed,  sir,  I  pray  you? 

Captain.  Against  some  part  of  Poland. 

Hamlet,  Who  commands  them,  sir? 

Captain.  The  nephew  to  old  Norway,  Fortinbras. 

Hamlet.  Goes  it  against  the  main  of  Poland,  sir. 

Or  for  some  frontier? 

Captain.  Truly  to  speak,  and  with  no  addition. 

We  go  to  gain  a  little  patch  of  ground 

That  hath  in  it  no  profit  but  the  name. 

To  pay  five  ducats,  five,  I  would  not  farm  it; 

Nor  will  it  yield  to  Norway  or  the  Pole 

A  ranker  rate,  should  it  be  sold  in  fee. 

Hamlet.  Why,  then  the  Polack  never  will  defend  it. 

Captain.  Yes,  't  is  already  garrison'd. 

Hamlet.  Two  thousand  souls  &  twenty  thousand  ducats 

Will  not  debate  the  question  of  this  straw; 

This  is  the  imposthume  of  much  wealth  and  peace, 

That  inward  breaks,  and  shows  no  cause  without 

Why  the  man  dies. — I  humbly  thank  you,  sir. 

Captain.  God  be  wi*  you,  sir.  [Exit. 

Bosencrantz.  Will 't  please  you  go,  my  lord? 

Hamlet.  I  '11  be  with  you  straight.  Go  a  little  before. 

[Exeunt  all  except  Hamlet. 
How  all  occasions  do  inform  against  me. 
And  spur  my  dull  revenge!  What  is  a  man,      ^ ,     ^ 
If  his  chief  good  and  market  of  his  time 
Be  but  to  sleep  and  feed?  a  beast,  no  more. 
Sure,  He  that  riiade  us  with  such  large  discourse, 

[120]. 


Act  IV  Hamlet,  Peincb  op  Denmabk         Scene  IV 

Looking  before  and  after,  gave  us  not 

That  capability  and  godlike  reason 

To  ftist  in  us  unus'd.  If  ow,  whether  it  be 

Bestial  obliyion,  or  some  craven  scruple 

Of  thinking  too  precisely  on  the  event, — 

A  thought  which,  quartered,  hath  but  one  part  wisdom 

And  ever  three  parts  coward, — I  do  not  know 

Why  yet  I  live  to  say  *  This  thing 's  to  do,' 

Sith  I  have  cause  and  will  and  strength  and  means 

To  do  't.  Examples  gross  as  earth  exhort  me; 

Witness  this  army  of  such  mass  and  charge, 

Led  by  a  delicate  and  tender  prince. 

Whose  spirit  with  divine  ambition  puff'd 

Makes  mouths  at  the  invisible  event. 

Exposing  what  is  mortal  and  unsure 

To  all  that  fortune,  death,  and  danger  dare. 

Even  for  an  egg-shell.  Rightly  to  be  great 

Is  not  to  stir  without  great  argument. 

But  greatly  to  find  quarrel  in  a  straw 

When  honour 's  at  the  stake.  How  stand  I  then, 

That  have  a  father  kill'd,  a  mother  stain'd, 

Excitements  of  my  reason  and  my  blood, 

And  let  all  sleep,  while  to  my  shame  I  see 

The  imminent  death  of  twenty  thousand  men. 

That  for  a  fantasy  and  trick  of  fame 

Go  to  their  graves  like  beds,  fight  for  a  plot 

Whereon  the  numbers  cannot  try  the  cause. 

Which  is  not  tomb  enough  and  continent 

[121] 


Act  TV  Hamlet,  Pbince  of  Denmabk  Seem  V 

To  hide  the  slain?  O,  from  this  time  forth, 

My  thoughts  be  bloody,  or  be  nothing  worth!      [Uxit. 

ScEN^E  V.  Msinore.  A  Room  in  the  Castle. 

Enter  Quee:n^,  Horatio,  and  a  Gentleman. 

Queen,  I  will  not  speak  with  her. 

Gentleman.  She  is  importunate,  indeed  distract; 

Her  mood  will  needs  be  pitied. 

Queen.  What  would  she  have? 

Gentleman.  She  speaks  much  of  her  father;  says  she 

hears 
There  's  tricks  i'  the  world;  and  hems,  and  beats  her 

heart; 
Spurns  enviously  at  straws;  speaks  things  in  doubt. 
That  carry  but  half  sense:  her  speech  is  nothing. 
Yet  the  unshaped  use  of  it  doth  move 
The  hearers  to  collection;  they  aim  at  it. 
And  botch  the  words  up  fit  to  their  own  thoughts; 
Which,  as  her  winks  and  nods  and  gestures  yield  them. 
Indeed  would  make  one  think  there  might  be  thought. 
Though  nothing  sure,  yet  much  unhappily. 
Horatio.  'T  were  good  she  were  spoken  with,  for  she 

may  strew 
Dangerous  conjectures  in  ill-breeding  minds. 
Queen.  Let  her  come  in.  [Exit  Horatio. 

[Aside]  To  my  sick  soul,  as  sin's  true  nature  is. 
Bach  toy  seems  prologue  to  some  great  amiss; 

[122] 


Act  IV  Hamlet,  Peikoe  op  Denmark  Scene  V 

So  fall  of  artless  jealousy  is  guilt, 
It  spills  itself  in  fearing  to  be  spilt. 

Be-enter  Hoeatio,  with  Ophelia. 

Ophelia,  Where  is  the  beauteous  majesty  of  Denmark? 

Queen.  How  now,  Ophelia! 

Ophelia,  [Sings]  How  should  I  your  true  love  hnow 

From  another  one? 
By  his  cocJcle  hat  and  staff, 

And  his  sandal  shoon. 
Queen,  Alas,  sweet  lady,  what  imports  this  song? 
Ophelia,  Say  you?  nay,  pray  you,  mark. 

[Sings]  He  is  dead  and  gone,  lady. 

He  is  dead  and  gone; 
At  his  head  a  grass-green  turf, 

At  his  heels  a  stone. 
Queen.  Nay,  but,  Ophelia, — 
Ophelia.  Pray  you,  mark. 
[Sings]  White  his  shroud  as  the  mountain  snow, — 

JEnter  King. 

Queen.  Alas,  look  here,  my  lord. 

Ophelia.  [Sings]  Larded  with  sweet  flowers; 

Which  bewept  to  the  grave  did  go 
With  true-love  showers. 
King.  How  do  you,  pretty  lady? 

Ophelia.  Well,  God  'ield  you!  They  say  the  owl  was  a 
baker's  daughter.  Lord,  we  know  what  we  are,  but 

[123] 


Act  TV  Hamlet,  Prestoe  op  Denmabk  Seem  V 


know  not  what  we  may  be.   God  be   at  your  table! 
King.  [Aside]  Conceit  upon  her  father. 
Ophelia.  Pray  you,  let  's  have  no  words  of  this;  but 
when  they  ask  you  what  it  means,  say  you  this: 

[Sings]  To-morrow  is  Saint  Valentine^s  day, 
All  in  the  morning  betime, 
And  I  a  maid  at  your  window, 
To  be  your  Valentine. 

Then  up  he  rose,  and  donned  his  clothes 
And  dupp^d  the  chamber-door; 

Let  in  the  maid,  that  out  a  maid 
Never  departed  more. 

King.  Pretty  Ophelia! 

Ophelia.  Indeed,  la,  without  an  oath,  1 11  make  an  end 

on't: 

[Sings]  By  Qis,  and  by  Saint  Charity, 
AlacJc,  and  fie  for  shame! 
Young  men  will  do  H,  if  they  come  to  H; 

By  cocJc  they  are  to  blame. 
Quoth  she,  before  you  tumbled  me. 

You  promised  me  to  wed: 
So  would  I  ha'  done,  by  yonder  sun. 
An  thou  hadst  not  come  to  my  bed. 
King.  How  long  hath  she  been  thus? 
Ophelia.  I  hope  all  will  be  well.  We  must  be  patient; 
but  I  cannot  choose  but  weep,  to  think  they  should  lay 
him  i*  the  cold  ground.  My  brother  shall  know  of  it; 

[124] 


Act  IV  Hamlet,  Pbinoe  op  Denmaek  Seme  V 

and  so  I  thank  you  for  your  good  counsel. — Come,  my 
coach! — Good  night,  ladies;  good  night,  sweet  ladies; 
good  night,  good  night.  [Mmt 

King.  Follow  her  close;  give  her  good  watch,  I  pray 
you. —  [Exit  Horatio. 

O,  this  is  the  poison  of  deep  grief;  it  springs 
All  from  her  father's  death.  O  Gertrude,  Gertrude, 
When  sorrows  come,  they  come  not  single  spies, 
But  in  battalions.  First,  her  father  slain; 
Next,  your  son  gone;  and  he  most  violent  author 
Of  his  own  just  remove:  the  people  muddied. 
Thick  and  unwholesome  in  their  thoughts  and  whispers. 
For  good  Polonius'  death;  &  we  have  done  but  greenly. 
In  hugger-mugger  to  inter  him:  poor  Ophelia 
Divided  from  herself  and  her  fair  judgment. 
Without  the  which  we  are  pictures,  or  mere  beasts: 
Last,  and  as  much  containing  as  all  these. 
Her  brother  is  in  secret  come  from  France, 
Feeds  on  his  wonder,  keeps  himself  in  clouds, 
And  wants  not  buzzers  to  infect  his  ear 
With  pestilent  speeches  of  his  father's  death; 
Wherein  necessity,  of  matter  beggar'd, 
Will  nothing  stick  our  person  to  arraign 
In  ear  and  ear.  O  my  dear  Gertrude,  this. 
Like  to  a  murthering-piece,  in  many  places 
Gives  me  superfluous  death.  [A  noise  within. 

Queen.  Alack,  what  noise  is  this? 

King.  Where  are  my  Switzers?  Let  them  guard  the  door. 

[125] 


Act  IV  Hamlet,  Peince  op  Denmabk  Scene  V 

Enter  another  Gentleman. 

What  is  the  matter? 

Gentleman.  Save  yourself,  my  lord; 

The  ocean,  oyerpeering  of  his  list, 

Eats  not  the  flats  with  more  impetuous  haste 

Than  young  Laertes,  in  a  riotous  head, 

Overbears  your  officers.  The  rabble  call  him  lord; 

And,  as  the  world  were  now  but  to  begin, 

Antiquity  forgot,  custom  not  known. 

The  ratifiers  and  props  of  every  word, 

They  cry  *  Choose  we;  Laertes  shall  be  king!' 

Caps,  hands,  and  tongues,  applaud  it  to  the  clouds, 

*  Laertes  shall  be  king,  Laertes  king!' 

Queen.  How  cheerfully  on  the  false  trail  they  cry! 

O,  this  is  counter,  you  false  Danish  dogs! 

King.  The  doors  are  broke.  [Noise  within. 

Enter  Laertes,  armed;  Danes  following. 

Laertes.  Where  is  this  king?  Sirs,  stand  you  all  without. 
Danes.  No,  let 's  come  in. 

Laertes.  I  pray  you,  give  me  leave. 

Danes.  We  will,  we  will.  [They  retire  without  the  door. 
Laertes.  I  thank  you:  keep  the  door. — O  thou  vile  king. 
Give  me  my  father! 

Queen.  Calmly,  good  Laertes. 

Laertes.  That  drop  of  blood  that 's  calm  proclaims  me 
bastard, 

[126] 


Act  IV  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Scene  V 

Cries  cuckold  to  my  father,  brands  the  harlot 

Even  here,  between  the  chaste  unsmirched  brows 

Of  my  true  mother. 

King.  What  is  the  cause,  Laertes, 

That  thy  rebellion  looks  so  giant-like? — 

Let  him  go,  Gertrude;  do  not  fear  our  person: 

There  's  such  divinity  doth  hedge  a  king. 

That  treason  can  but  peep  to  what  it  would, 

Acts  little  of  his  will. — Tell  me,  Laertes, 

Why  thou  art  thus  incens'd. — Let  him  go,  Gertrude. — 

Speak,  man. 

Laertes,  Where  is  my  father? 

King.  Dead. 

Queen.  But  not  by  him. 

King.  Let  him  demand  his  fill. 

Laertes.  How  came  he  dead?  I  '11  not  be  juggled  with: 

To  hell,  allegiance  I  vows,  to  the  blackest  devil  I 

Conscience  and  grace,  to  the  profoundest  pit  I 

I  dare  damnation.  To  this  point  I  stand: 

That  both  the  worlds  I  give  to  negligence, 

Let  come  what  comes ;  only  I  '11  be  reveng'd 

Most  throughly  for  my  father. 

King.  Who  shall  stay  you? 

Laertes.  My  will,  not  all  the  world; 

And  for  my  means,  I  '11  husband  them  so  well, 

They  shall  go  far  with  little. 

King.  Good  Laertes, 

If  you  desire  to  know  the  certainty 

[127] 


Act  IV  Hamlet,  Peincb  of  Denmark  Scene  V 

Of  your  dear  father's  death,  is  't  writ  in  your  revenge, 

That,  swoopstake,  you  will  draw  both  friend  and  foe. 

Winner  and  loser? 

Laertes.  None  but  his  enemies. 

King.  Will  you  know  them  then? 

Laertes.  To  his  good  friends  thus  wide  I  '11  ope  my  arms ; 

And  like  the  kind  life-rendering  pelican, 

Eepast  them  with  my  blood. 

King.  Why,  now  you  speak 

Like  a  good  child  and  a  true  gentleman. 

That  I  am  guiltless  of  your  father's  death. 

And  am  most  sensibly  in  grief  for  it. 

It  shall  as  level  to  your  judgment  pierce 

As  day  does  to  your  eye. 

Danes.  [  Within']  Let  her  come  in. 

Laertes.  How  now!  what  noise  is  that? — 

Re-enter  Ophelia. 

O  heat,  dry  up  my  brains!  tears  seven  times  salt,^^*^^ 

Burn  out  the  sense  and  virtue  of  mine  eye  I — 

By  heaven,  thy  madness  shall  be  paid  by  weight. 

Till  our  scale  turn  the  beam.  O  rose  of  May! 

Dear  maid,  kind  sister,  sweet  Ophelia! — 

O  heavens!  is  't  possible,  a  young  maid's  wits 

Should  be  as  mortal  as  an  old  man's  life? 

Nature  is  fine  in  love,  and  where  't  is  fine 

It  sends  some  precious  instance  of  itself 

After  the  thing  it  loves. 

[128] 


Ad  IV  Hamlet,  Prince  op  Denmakk  Scene  V 

Ophelia.  [Sings] — 

They  bore  him  barefaced  on  the  bier; 
Hey  non  nonny,  nonny,  hey  nonny ; 
And  on  his  grave  rains  many  a  tear. — 
Fare  you  well,  my  dove! 

Laertes.  Hadst  thou  thy  wits,  &  didst  persuade  revenge, 
It  could  not  move  thus. 

Ophelia.  You  must  sing,  Down  a-down,  and  you  call  him 
a-down-a.  O,  how  the  wheel  becomes  it!  It  is  the  false 
steward,  that  stole  his  master's  daughter. 
Laertes.  This  nothing  's  more  than  matter. 
Ophelia.  There  's  rosemary,  that  's  for  remembrance; 
pray  you,  love,  remember;  and  there  is  pansies,  that 's 
for  thoughts. 

Laertes.  A  document  in  madness,  thoughts  and  remem- 
brance fitted. 

Ophelia.  There 's  fennel  for  you,  &  columbines;  there  's 
rue  for  you;  and  here  's  some  for  me;  we  may  call  it 
herb  of  grace  o'  Sundays;  O,  you  must  wear  your  rue 
with  a  difference.  There  's  a  daisy:  I  would  give  you 
some  violets,  but  they  withered  all  when  my  father  died; 
they  say  he  made  a  good  end, — 

[Sings]  For  bonny  sweet  Robin  is  aU  my  joy. 
Laertes.  Thought  and  affliction,  passion,  hell  itself, 
She  turns  to  favour  and  to  prettiness. 
Ophelia.  [Sings] — 

And  will  he  not  come  again? 

And  will  he  not  come  again  f 

[129] 


:;  ii  ;.% '' 


Act  IV  Hamlet,  Pbikce  of  Deniviabk  Scene  V 

No,  no,  he  is  dead; 
Go  to  thy  death'hed, 
He  never  will  come  again. 

His  heard  was  white  as  snow, 
All  flaxen  was  Ms  poll; 

He  is  gone,  he  is  gone,  _ 

And  we  cast  away  moan: 
God  hd'  mercy  on  his  soul! 

And  of  all  Christian  souls,  I  pray  God. — God  be  wi'  ye. 

[Sxit. 
Laertes.  Do  you  see  this,  O  God? 
King.  Laertes,  I  must  commune  with  your  grief. 
Or  you  deny  me  right.  Go  but  apart, 
Make  choice  of  whom  your  wisest  friends  you  will. 
And  they  shall  hear  and  judge  'twixt  you  and  me. 
If  by  direct  or  by  collateral  hand 
They  find  us  touched,  we  will  our  kingdom  give. 
Our  crown,  our  life,  and  all  that  we  call  ours. 
To  you  in  satisfaction;  but  if  not, 
Be  you  content  to  lend  your  patience  to  us. 
And  we  shall  jointly  labour  with  your  soul 
To  give  it  due  content. 
Laertes.  Let  this  be  so; 

His  means  of  death,  his  obscure  burial — 
No  trophy,  sword,  nor  hatchment  o'er  his  bones, 
Ko  noble  rite  nor  formal  ostentation — 
Cry  to  be  heard,  as  't  were  from  heaven  to  earth, 

[130] 


Act  IV  HamTjET,  Pbincb  of  Denmabk         Scene  VI 

That  I  must  call 't  in  question. 

King.  So  you  shall; 

And  where  the  oflFence  is  let  the  great  axe  fall. 

I  pray  you,  go  with  me.  [Exeunt. 

Scene  VI.  Another  Boom  in  the  Castle. 

Enter  Horatio  and  a  Servant. 

Horatio.  What  are  they  that  would  speak  with  me? 
Servant.  Sailors,  sir;  they  say  they  have  letters  for  you. 
Horatio.  Let  them  come  in. —  [Exit  Servant. 

I  do  not  know  from  what  part  of  the  world 
I  should  be  greeted,  if  not  from  Lord  Hamlet. 

Enter  Sailors. 

1  Sailor.  God  bless  you,  sir. 
Horatio.  Let  him  bless  thee  too. 

1  Sailor.  He  shall,  sir,  an  't  please  him.  There  's  a  let- 
ter for  you,  sir — it  comes  from  the  ambassador  that 
was  boimd  for  England — ^if  your  name  be  Horatio,  as 
I  am  let  to  know  it  is. 

Horatio.  [Reads]  'Horatio,  when  thou  shalt  have  over- 
looked this,  give  these  fellows  some  means  to  the  king; 
they  have  letters  for  him.  Ere  we  were  two  days  old  at 
sea,  a  pirate  of  very  warlike  appointment  gave  us  chase. 
Finding  ourselves  too  slow  of  sail,  we  put  on  a  compelled 
valour;  in  the  grapple  I  hoarded  them:  on  the  instant  they 
got  clear  of  our  ship;  so  I  alone  became  their  prisoner, 

[131] 


Act  lY  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark       Seme  VII 

They  have  dealt  with  me  like  thieves  of  mercy :  hut  they 
knew  what  they  did;  I  am  to  do  a  good  turn  for  them. 
Let  the  king  have  the  letters  I  have  sent;  and  repair  thou 
to  me  with  as  much  speed  as  thou  ivouldstfly  death,  I  have 
words  to  speak  in  thine  ear  will  make  thee  dumb;  yet  are 
they  much  too  light  for  the  bore  of  the  matter.  These  good 
fellows  will  bring  thee  where  I  am.  Rosencrantz  and  Ghiil- 
denstern  hold  their  course  for  England;  of  them  I  have 
much  to  tell  thee.  Farewell. 

^He  that  thou  knowest  thine,  Hamlet,' 
Come,  I  will  make  you  way  for  these  your  letters; 
And  do 't  the  speedier,  that  you  may  direct  me 
To  him  from  whom  you  brought  them.  [Exeunt 

Scene  VII.  Another  Room  in  the  Castle. 

Enter  Ejdstg  and  Laertes. 

King.  Kow  must  your  conscience  my  acquittance  seal, 

And  you  must  put  me  in  your  heart  for  friend, 

Sith  you  have  heard,  and  with  a  knowing  ear, 

That  he  which  hath  your  noble  father  slain 

Pursued  my  life. 

Laertes.  It  well  appears;  but  tell  me 

Why  you  proceeded  not  against  these  feats. 

So  crimefiil  and  so  capital  in  nature. 

As  by  your  safety,  wisdom,  all  things  else. 

You  mainly  were  stirr'd  up. 

King.  O,  for  two  special  reasons, 

[132] 


Act  IV  Hamlet,  Prince  op  Denmabk        Scene  VII 

Which  may  to  you  perhaps  seem  much  unsinew'd, 

But  yet  to  me  they  are  strong.  The  queen  his  mother 

Lives  almost  by  his  looks;  and  for  myself — 

My  virtue  or  my  plague,  be  it  either  which — 

She  's  so  conjunctive  to  my  life  and  soul, 

That,  as  the  star  moves  not  but  in  his  sphere, 

I  could  not  but  by  her.  The  other  motive, 

Why  to  a  public  count  I  might  not  go. 

Is  the  great  love  the  general  gender  bear  him; 

Who,  dipping  all  his  faults  in  their  affection, 

Would,  like  the  spring  that  turneth  wood  to  stone, 

Convert  his  gyves  to  graces:  so  that  my  arrows, 

Too  slightly  timbered  for  so  loud  a  wind, 

Would  have  reverted  to  my  bow  again, 

And  not  where  I  had  aim'd  them. 

Laertes.  And  so  have  I  a  noble  father  lost; 

A  sister  driven  into  desperate  terms. 

Whose  worth,  if  praises  may  go  back  again, 

Stood  challenger  on  mount  of  all  the  age 

For  her  perfections:  but  my  revenge  will  come. 

King.  Break  not  your  sleeps  for  that;  you  must  not 

think 
That  we  are  made  of  stuff  so  flat  and  dull 
That  we  can  let  our  beard  be  shook  with  danger, 
And  think  it  pastime.  You  shortly  shall  hear  more: 
I  lov'd  your  father,  and  we  love  ourself ; 
And  that,  I  hope,  will  teach  you  to  imagine — 

[133] 


Act  IV  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark        Scene  YII 

Enter  a  Messenger. 

How  now!  what  news?  '^ff^f? 

Messenger.  Letters,  my  lord,  from  Hamlet: 

This  to  your  majesty;  this  to  the  queen. 
King.  From  Hamlet!  who  brought  them? 
Messenger.  Sailors,  my  lord,  they  say;  I  saw  them  not: 
They  were  given  to  me  by  Claudio;  he  received  them 
Of  him  that  brought  them. 

King.  Laertes,  you  shall  hear  them. — 

Leave  us.  [Exit  Messenger. 

[Reads]  'High  and  mighty,  You  shall  know  lam  set  naked 
on  your  kingdom.  To-morrow  shall  I  beg  leave  to  see  your 
kingly  eyes;  when  I  shall,  first  asking  your  pardon  there- 
unto, recount  the  occasion  of  my  sudden  and  more  strange 
return.  Hamlet.' 

What  should  this  mean?  Are  all  the  rest  come  back? 
Or  is  it  some  abuse,  and  no  such  thing? 
Laertes.  Kiiow  you  the  hand? 

King.  'T  is  Hamlet's  character.  *]!faked!' 

And  in  a  postscript  here,  he  says  *  alone.' 
Can  you  advise  me?  >' 

Laertes.  I  'm  lost  in  it,  my  lord.  But  let  him  come; 
It  warms  the  very  sickness  in  my  heart, 
That  I  shall  live  and  tell  him  to  his  teeth 
'Thus  didest  thou.' 

King.  If  it  be  so,  Laertes — 

As  how  should  it  be  so?  how  otherwise? — 

[134] 


Act  IV  Hamlet,  Prince  op  Denmark        Scene  VII 

Will  you  be  rul'd  by  me? 

Laertes.  Ay,  my  lord;   ..^^  -^^,. ,    .    > 

So  you  will  not  overrule  me  to  a  peace. '%M^f*;'**^'.    fell 

King.  To  thine  own  peace.  If  he  be  now  returned, 

As  checking  at  his  voyage,  and  that  he  means 

No  more  to  undertake  it,  I  will  work  him 

To  an  exploit  now  ripe  in  my  device,  wti^ 

Under  the  which  he  shall  not  choose  but  fall; 

And  for  his  death  no  wind  of  blame  shall  breathe. 

But  even  his  mother  shall  uncharge  the  practice 

And  call  it  accident. 

Laertes.  My  lord,  I  will  be  ruFd; 

The  rather,  if  you  could  devise  it  so 

That  I  might  be  the  organ. 

King.  It  falls  right. 

You  have  been  talk'd  of  since  your  travel  much, 

And  that  in  Hamlet's  hearing,  for  a  quality 

Wherein,  they  say,  you  shine;  your  sum  of  parts 

Did  not  together  pluck  such  envy  from  him 

As  did  that  one,  and  that,  in  my  regard. 

Of  the  unworthiest  siege. 

Laertes.  What  part  is  that,  my  lord? 

King.  A  very  riband  in  the  cap  of  youth. 

Yet  needftd  too ;  for  youth  no  less  becomes 

The  light  and  careless  livery  that  it  wears 

Than  settled  age  his  sables  and  his  weeds, 

Importing  health  and  graveness.  Two  months  since, 

Here  was  a  gentleman  of  Normandy: — 

[135] 


Act  IV  Hamlet,  Pkestce  of  Denmaek       Scene  VII 

I  Ve  seen  myself,  and  served  against,  the  French, 

And  they  can  well  on  horseback ;  but  this  gallant 

Had  witchcraft  in  't:  he  grew  into  his  seat. 

And  to  such  wondrous  doing  brought  his  horse, 

As  he  had  been  incorps'd  and  demi-natur'd 

With  the  brave  beast.  So  far  he  topp'd  my  thought 

That  I,  in  forgery  of  shapes  and  tricks, 

Come  short  of  what  he  did. 

Laertes.  A  N^orman  was  't? 

King.  A  Norman. 

Laertes.  Upon  my  life,  Lamond. 

King.  The  very  same. 

Laertes.  I  know  him  well;  he  is  the  brooch  indeed 

And  gem  of  all  the  nation. 

King.  He  made  confession  of  you. 

And  gave  you  such  a  masterly  report 

For  art  and  exercise  in  your  defence, 

And  for  your  rapier  most  especially. 

That  he  cried  out,  't  would  be  a  sight  indeed. 

If  one  could  match  you;  the  scrimers  of  their  nation. 

He  swore,  had  neither  motion,  guard,  nor  eye, 

If  you  oppos'd  them.  Sir,  this  report  of  his 

Did  Hamlet  so  envenom  with  his  envy 

That  he  could  nothing  do  but  wish  and  beg 

Tour  sudden  coming  o'er,  to  play  with  him. 

Now,  out  of  this — 

Laertes.  What  out  of  this,  my  lord? 

King.  Laertes,  was  your  father  dear  to  you? 

[136] 


Act  IV  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark        Scene  VII 

Or  are  you  like  the  painting  of  a  sorrow, 

A  face  without  a  heart? 

Laertes.  Why  ask  you  this? 

King.  Not  that  I  think  you  did  not  love  your  father; 

But  that  I  know  love  is  begun  by  time, 

And  that  I  see,  in  passages  of  proof, 

Time  qualifies  the  spark  and  fire  of  it. 

There  lives  within  the  very  flame  of  love 

A  kind  of  wick  or  snuff  that  will  abate  it; 

And  nothing  is  at  a  like  goodness  still,  4:^;^^ 

For  goodness,  growing  to  a  plurisy,  *        ^,f,:pi.  *- 

Dies  in  his  own  too-much.  That  we  would  do,    -^"r^"^'*^ 

We  should  do  when  we  would;  for  this  *  would'  changes 

And  hath  abatements  and  delays  as  many 

As  there  are  tongues,  are  hands,  are  accidents; 

And  then  this  *  should'  is  like  a  spendthrift  sigh. 

That  hurts  by  easing.  But,  to  the  quick  o'  the  ulcer: 

Hamlet  comes  back;  what  would  you  undertake, 

To  show  yourself  your  father's  son  in  deed 

More  than  in  words? 

Laertes.  To  cut  his  throat  i'  the  church. 

King.  No  place,  indeed,  should  murther  sanctuarize; 

Eevenge  should  have  no  bounds.  But,  good  Laertes, 

Will  you  do  this,  keep  close  within  your  chamber. 

Hamlet  return'd  shall  know  you  are  come  home: 

We  '11  put  on  those  shall  praise  your  excellence 

And  set  a  double  varnish  on  the  fame 

The  Frenchman  gave  you;  bring  you,  in  fine,  together 

[137] 


Act  lY  Hamlet,  Pbince  of  Denmabk        Sce/m  YII 

And  wager  on  your  heads.  He,  being  remiss, 

Most  generous  and  free  from  all  contriving, 

Will  not  peruse  the  foils;  so  that,  with  ease 

Or  with  a  little  shuffling,  you  may  choose 

A  sword  unbated,  and  in  a  pass  of  practice 

Eequite  him  for  your  father. 

Laertes.  I  will  do  't; 

And,  for  that  purpose,  I  '11  anoint  my  sword. 

I  bought  an  unction  of  a  mountebank. 

So  mortal  that,  but  dip  a  knife  in  it. 

Where  it  draws  blood  no  cataplasm  so  rare. 

Collected  from  all  simples  that  have  virtue 

Under  the  moon,  can  save  the  thing  from  death 

That  is  but  scratched  withal;  I  '11  touch  my  point 

With  this  contagion,  that,  if  I  gall  him  slightly. 

It  may  be  death. 

King,  Let 's  further  think  of  this ; 

Weigh  what  convenience  both  of  time  and  means 

May  fit  us  to  our  shape.  If  this  should  fail. 

And  that  our  drift  look  through  our  bad  performance, 

'T  were  better  not  assay 'd;  therefore  this  project 

Should  have  a  back  or  second,  that  might  hold 

If  this  should  blast  in  proof.  Soft! — ^let  me  see: — 

We  '11  make  a  solemn  wager  on  your  cunnings, — 

Iha't: 

When  in  your  motion  you  are  hot  and  dry — 

As  make  your  bouts  more  violent  to  that  end —  * 

And  that  he  calls  for  drink,  I  '11  have  prepar'd  him 

[138] 


Act  IV 


Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark        Scene  VII 


A  chalice  for  the  nonce,  whereon  but  sipping. 
If  he  by  chance  escape  your  venom'd  stuck, 
Our  purpose  may  hold  there. — 

Enter  Queen. 

How  now,  sweet  queen! 
Queen.  One  woe  doth  tread  upon  another's  heel. 
So  fast  they  follow. — Your  sister  's  drown'd,  Laertes. 
Laertes.  Drown'd!  O,  where? 
Queen.  There  is  a  willow  grows  aslant  a  brook, 
That  shows  his  hoar  leaves  in  the  glassy  stream; 
There  with  fantastic  garlands  did  she  come 
Of  crow-flowers,  nettles,  daisies,  and  long  purples, 
That  liberal  shepherds  give  a  grosser  name. 
But  our  cold  maids  do  dead  men's  fingers  call  them : 
There,  on  the  pendent  boughs  her  coronet  weeds 
Clambering  to  hang,  an  envious  sliver  broke. 
When  down  her  weedy  trophies  and  herself 
Fell  in  the  weeping  brook.  Her  clothes  spread  wide, 
And,  mermaid-like,  a  while  they  bore  her  up; 
Which  time  she  chanted  snatches  of  old  tunes, 
As  one  incapable  of  her  own  distress. 
Or  like  a  creature  native  and  indued 
Unto  that  element:  but  long  it  could  not  be 
Till  that  her  garments,  heavy  with  their  drink, 
Pull'd  the  poor  wretch  from  her  melodious  lay 
To  muddy  death. 
Laertes.  Alas,  then,  is  she  drown'd? 

[139] 


Act  IV  Hamlet,  Peikcb  op  Denmabk       Scene  VII 

Queen.  Drown'd,  drown'd. 

Laertes.  Too  much  of  water  hast  thou,  poor  Ophelia, 

And  therefore  I  forbid  my  tears.  But  yet 

It  is  our  trick;  nature  her  custom  holds, 

Let  shame  say  what  it  will:  when  these  are  gone. 

The  woman  will  be  out. — ^Adieu,  my  lord; 

I  have  a  speech  of  fire,  that  fain  would  blaze, 

But  that  this  folly  douts  it.  [Exit. 

King.  Let  's  follow,  Gertrude; 

How  much  I  had  to  do  to  calm  his  rage! 

Now  fear  I  this  will  give  it  start  again; 

Therefore  let 's  follow.  [Exeunt. 


[140] 


ACT    FIVE 


r^ 


ACT  V. 

Scene  I.  A  Churchyard. 
Enter  two  Clowns,  with  spades,  etc. 

1  Clown.  Is  she  to  be  buried  in  Christian  burial  that 
wilfally  seeks  her  own  salvation? 

2  Clown.  I  tell  thee  she  is;  and  therefore  make  her 
grave  straight:  the  crowner  hath  sat  on  her,  and  finds 
it  Christian  burial. 

1  Clown.  How  can  that  be,  unless  she  drowned  herself 
in  her  own  defence? 

2  Clown.  Why,  't  is  found  so. 

1  Clown.  It  must  be  se  offendendo;  it  cannot  be  else. 
For  here  lies  the  point:  if  I  drown  myself  wittingly, 
it  argues  an  act,  and  an  act  hath  three  branches;  it  is, 
to  act,  to  do,  and  to  perform:  argal,  she  drowned  her- 
self wittingly. 

2  Cloion.  Nay,  but  hear  you,  goodman  delver, — 

1  Clown.  Give  me  leave.  Here  lies  the  water;  good: 
here  stands  the  man;  good:  if  the  man  go  to  this 
water,  and  drown  himself,  it  is,  will  he  nill  he,  he  goes, 
— ^mark  you  that;  but  if  the  water  come  to  him  and 
drown  him,  he  drowns  not  himself:  argal,  he  that  is 
not  guilty  of  his  own  death,  shortens  not  his  own  life. 

2  Clown.  But  is  this  law? 

1  Clown.  Ajy  marry,  is  't;  crowner's  quest  law. 

2  Clown.  Will  you  ha'  the  truth  on 't?  If  this  had  not 

[145]  ' 


Act  V  Hamlet,  Pres^ce  of  Denmabk  Scene  I 

been  a  gentlewoman,  site  should  have  been  buried  out 
o'  Christian  burial. 

1  Clown.  Why,  there  thou  say'st;  and  the  more  pity 
that  great  folk  should  have  countenance  in  this  world 
to  drown  or  hang  themselves,  more  than  their  even- 
Christian. — Come,  my  spade.  There  is  no  ancient  gen- 
tlemen but  gardeners,  ditchers,  and  grave-makers ;  they 
hold  up  Adam's  profession. 

2  Clown.  Was  he  a  gentleman? 

1  Clown.  He  was  the  first  that  ever  bore  arms. 

2  Clown.  Why,  he  had  none. 

1  Clown.  What,  art  a  heathen?  How  dost  thou  under- 
stand the  Scripture?  The  Scripture  says  *Adam  digged'; 
could  he  dig  without  arms?  I  '11  put  another  question 
to  thee;  if  thou  answerest  me  not  to  the  purpose,  con- 
fess thyself — 

2  Clown.  Go  to. 

1  Clown.  What  is  he  that  builds  stronger  than  either 
the  mason,  the  shipwright,  or  the  carpenter? 

2  Clown.  The  gallows-maker;  for  that  frame  outlives  a 
thousand  tenants. 

1  Clown.  I  like  thy  wit  well,  in  good  faith:  the  gallows 
does  well;  but  how  does  it  well?  it  does  well  to  those 
that  do  ill;  now  thou  dost  ill  to  say  the  gallows  is 
built  stronger  than  the  church:  argal,  the  gallows  may 
do  well  to  thee.  To  't  again,  come. 

2  Clown.  Who  builds  stronger  than  a  mason,  a  ship- 
wright, or  a  carpenter? 

[146] 


Act  V  Hamlet,  Prikce  of  Denmabk  Scene  I 

1  Clown.  Ay,  tell  me  that,  and  unyoke. 

2  Clown.  Marry,  now  I  can  tell. 

1  Clown.  To  't. 

2  Clown.  Mass,  I  cannot  tell. 

Enter  Hamlet  and  Hoeatio,  at  a  distance. 

1  Clown.  Cudgel  thy  brains  no  more  about  it,  for  your 
dull  ass  will  not  mend  his  pace  with  beating;  and  when 
you  are  asked  this  question  next,  say  *a  grave-maker': 
the  houses  that  he  makes  last  till  doomsday.  Go,  get 
thee  to  Yaughan;  fetch  me  a  stoup  of  liquor. 

[Exit  2  Clown. 
[Digs,  and  sings] 

In  youthj  when  I  did  love,  did  love, 

Methought  it  was  very  sweet. 
To  contract — O! — the  time,  for — ah! — my  behove, 
O,  methought,  there  was  nothing  meet. 
Hamlet.  Has  this  fellow  no  feeling  of  his  business,  that 
he  sings  at  grave-making? 

Horatio.  Custom  hath  made  it  in  him  a  property  of 
easiness. 

Hamlet.  'T  is  e'en  so;  the  hand  of  little  employment 
hath  the  daintier  sense. 

1  Clown.  [Sings]  But  age,  with  his  stealing  steps, 

Hath  clawed  me  in  his  clutch, 
And  hath  shipped  me  intil  the  land. 
As  if  I  had  never  been  such. 

[Throws  up  a  sJcuU. 

[147] 


Act  V  Hamlet,  Peincb  op  Denmabk  Scene  I 

Samlet.  That  skull  had  a  tongue  in  it,  and  could  sing 
once;  how  the  knaye  jowls  it  to  the  ground,  as  if  it 
were  Cain's  jaw-bone,  that  did  the  first  murther!  It 
might  be  the  pate  of  a  politician,  which  this  ass  now 
o'er-reaches;  one  that  would  circumvent  God,  might 
it  not? 

Horatio.  It  might,  my  lord. 

Samlet.  Or  of  a  courtier,  which  could  say  *  Good  mor- 
row, sweet  lord!  How  dost  thou,  good  lord?'  This  might 
be  my  lord  such-a-one,  that  praised  my  lord  such-a- 
one's  horse,  when  he  meant  to  beg  it,  might  it  not? 
Soratio.  Ay,  my  lord. 

Samlet.  Why,  e'en  so;  and  now  my  Lady  Worm's,  chap- 
less,  and  knocked  about  the  mazzard  with  a  sexton's 
spade:  here  's  fine  revolution,  an  we  had  the  trick  to 
see  't.  Did  these  bones  cost  no  more  the  breeding,  but 
to  play  at  loggats  with  'em?  mine  ache  to  think  on  't. 
1  Clown.  [Sings] — 

A  picJc-axe,  and  a  spade,  a  spade^ 

For  and  a  shrouding  sheet; 
O,  a  pit  of  clay  for  to  he  made 

For  such  a  guest  is  meet. 

[Throws  up  another  sJcull. 
Samlet.  There  's  another;  why  may  not  that  be  the 
skull  of  a  lawyer?  Where  be  his  quiddits  now,  his  quil- 
lets, his  cases,  his  tenures,  and  his  tricks?  why  does  he 
suffer  this  rude  knave  now  to  knock  him  about  the 
sconce  with  a  dirty  shovel,  and  will  not  tell  him  of  his 

[148] 


Act  V  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Scene  I 

action  of  battery?  Hum!  This  fellow  might  be  in  's 
time  a  great  buyer  of  land,  with  his  statutes,  his  re- 
cognizances, his  fines,  his  double  vouchers,  his  recov- 
eries ;  is  this  the  fine  of  his  fines,  and  the  recovery  of 
his  recoveries,  to  have  his  fine  pate  full  of  fine  dirt? 
will  his  vouchers  vouch  him  no  more  of  his  purchases, 
and  double  ones  too,  than  the  length  and  breadth  of  a 
pair  of  indentures?  The  very  conveyances  of  his  lands 
will  hardly  lie  in  this  box;  and  must  the  inheritor 
himself  have  no  more,  ha? 
Horatio.  I^ot  a  jot  more,  my  lord. 
Hamlet  Is  not  parchment  made  of  sheep-skins? 
Horatio,  Ay,  my  lord,  and  of  calf-skins  too. 
Hamlet.  They  are   sheep  and  calves  which  seek  out 
assurance  in  that.  I  will  speak  to  this  fellow. — ^Whose 
grave  's  this,  sirrah? 
1  Clown.  Mine,  sir. — 

[Sings]  O,  a  pit  of  clay  for  to  he  made 
For  such  a  guest  is  meet. 
Hamlet.  I  think  it  be  thine,  indeed,  for  thou  liest  in  't. 
1  Clown.  You  lie  out  on  't,  sir,  and  therefore  it  is  not 
yours;  for  my  part,  I  do  not  lie  in  't,  and  yet  it  is  mine. 
Hamlet.  Thou  dost  lie  in  't,  to  be  in  't  and  say  it  is  thine ; 
't  is  for  the  dead,  not  for  the  quick:  therefore  thou  liest. 
1  Clown.  'T  is  a  quick  lie,  sir;  't  will  away  again,  from 
me  to  you. 

Hamlet.  What  man  dost  thou  dig  it  for? 
1  Cloivn.  For  no  man,  sir. 

[149] 


Act  V  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Scene  I 

Hamlet.  What  woman,  then? 

1  Clown.  For  none,  neither.  iMm^M-.-m^j 

Samlet.  Who  is  to  be  buried  in  't?  ^^^    * ' 

1  Clown.  One  that  was  a  woman,  sir;  but,  rest  her  soul, 

she  's  dead. 

Hamlet.  How  absolute  the  knave  is !  we  must  speak  by 

the  card,  or  equivocation  will  undo  us.  By  the  Lord, 

Horatio,  these  three  years  I  have  taken  a  note  of  it; 

the  age  is  grown  so  picked  that  the  toe  of  the  peasant 

comes  so  near  the  heel  of  the  courtier,  he  galls  his 

kibe. — How  long  hast  thou  been  a  grave-maker? 

1  Clown.  Of  all  the  days  i'  the  year,  I  came  to  't  that 

day  that  our  last  king  Hamlet  overcame  Fortinbras. 

Hamlet.  How  long  is  that  since? 

1  Clown.  Cannot  you  tell  that?  every  fool  can  tell  that: 

it  was  the  very  day  that  young  Hamlet  was  born;  he 

that  is  mad,  and  sent  into  England. 

Hamlet.  Ay,  marry,  why  was  he  sent  into  England? 

1  Clown.  Why,  because  he  was  mad:  he  shall  recover 

his  wits  there;  or,  if  he  do  not,  it 's  no  great  matter 

there. 

Hamlet.  Why? 

1  Clown.  'T  will  not  be  seen  in  him  there;  there  the 

men  are  as  mad  as  he. 

Hamlet.  How  came  he  mad? 

1  Clown.  Very  strangely,  they  say. 

Hamlet.  How  strangely? 

1  Clown.  Faith,  e'en  with  losing  his  wits. 

[150] 


Act  Y  Hamlet,  Pbincb  of  Denmabk  Seme  I 

Hamlet  Upon  what  ground? 

1  Clown.  Why,  here  in  Denmark;  I  have  been  sexton 
here,  man  and  boy,  thirty  years. 

Hamlet  How  long  will  a  man  lie  i'  the  earth  ere  he  rot? 
1  Clown.  V  faith,  if  he  be  not  rotten  before  he  die — as 
we  have  many  pocky  corses  now-a-days,  that  will  scarce 
hold  the  laying  in — ^he  will  last  you  some  eight  year 
or  nine  year;  a  tanner  will  last  you  nine  year. 
Hamlet  Why  he  more  than  another? 
1  Clown.  Why,  sir,  his  hide  is  so  tanned  with  his  trade, 
that  he  will  keep  out  water  a  great  while;  and  your 
water  is  a  sore  decayer  of  your  whoreson  dead  body. 
Here  's  a  skull  now;  this  skull  has  lain  in  the  earth 
three  and  twenty  years. 
Hamlet  Whose  was  it? 

1  Clown.  A  whoreson  mad  fellow's  it  was;  whose  do 
you  think  it  was? 
Hamlet  Nay,  I  know  not. 

1  Clown.  A  pestilence  on  him  for  a  mad  rogue !  a'  poured 
a  flagon  of  Rhenish  on  my  head  once.  This  same  skull, 
sir,  was  Torick's  skull,  the  king's  jester. 
Hamlet  This? 
1  Clown.  E'en  that. 

Hamlet  Let  me  see. — [^TaTces  the  sTcvM.']  Alas,  poor  Tor- 
ickl — I  knew  him,  Horatio;  a  fellow  of  infinite  jest,  of 
most  excellent  fancy:  he  hath  borne  me  on  his  back  a 
thousand  times ;  and  now,  how  abhorred  in  my  imag- 
ination it  is!  my  gorge  rises  at  it.  Here  hung  those  lips 

[151] 


Act  V  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Deioiark  Seem  I 

that  I  have  kissed  I  know  not  how  oft. — ^Where  be 
your  gibes  now?  your  gambols?  your  songs?  your 
flashes  of  merriment,  that  were  wont  to  set  the  table 
on  a  roar?  Not  one  now,  to  mock  your  own  grinning? 
quite  chop-fallen?  Ifow  get  you  to  my  lady's  chamber, 
and  tell  her,  let  her  paint  an  inch  thick,  to  this  favour 
she  must  come;  make  her  laugh  at  that. — Prithee, 
Horatio,  tell  me  one  thing. 
Horatio.  What 's  that,  my  lord? 

Hamlet.  Dost  thou  think  Alexander  looked  o'  this  fash- 
ion ¥  the  earth? 
Horatio.  E'en  so. 

Hamlet.  And  smelt  so?  pah!  [Puts  down  the  skull. 

Horatio.  E'en  so,  my  lord. 

Hamlet.  To  what  base  uses  we  may  return,  Horatio! 
Why  may  not  imagination  trace  the  noble  dust  of  Alex- 
ander, till  he  finds  it  stopping  a  bung-hole? 
Horatio.  'T  were  to  consider  too  curiously,  to  consider  so. 
Hamlet.  ISo,  faith,  not  a  jot;  but  to  follow  him  thither 
with  modesty  enough,  and  likelihood  to  lead  it;  as 
thus:  Alexander  died,  Alexander  was  buried,  Alexan- 
der returneth  into  dust;  the  dust  is  earth;  of  earth  we 
make  loam;  and  why  of  that  loam,  whereto  he  was 
converted,  might  they  not  stop  a  beer-barrel? 
Imperious  Caesar,  dead  and  turn'd  to  clay, 
Might  stop  a  hole  to  keep  the  wind  away; 
O,  that  that  earth,  which  kept  the  world  in  awe. 
Should  patch  a  wall  to  expel  the  winter's  flaw! 

[152] 


Act  V  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Scene  I 

But  soft!  but  soft!  aside!  here  comes  the  king, 

Enter  Priests,  etc.,  in  procession;  the  Corpse  of  Ophelia, 
Lajbetes  and  Mourners  following;  King,  Queen, 
their  trains,  etc. 

The  queen,  the  courtiers;  who  is  that  they  follow? 

And  with  such  maimed  rites?  This  doth  betoken 

The  corse  they  follow  did  with  desperate  hand 

Fordo  its  own  life;  't  was  of  some  estate. 

Couch  we  awhile,  and  mark.       [Retiring  with  Horatio. 

Laertes.  What  ceremony  else?  i. 

Hamlet.  That  is  Laertes,  a  very  noble  youth;  mark.    ^ 

Laertes.  What  ceremony  else? 

1  Priest.  Her  obsequies  have  been  as  far  enlarg'd 

As  we  have  warrantise:  her  death  was  doubtful; 

And,  but  that  great  command  o'ersways  the  order, 

She  should  in  ground  unsanctified  have  lodged 

Till  the  last  trumpet;  for  charitable  prayers,  i 

Shards,  flints,  and  pebbles  should  be  thrown  on  her: 

Yet  here  she  is  allowed  her  virgin  crants. 

Her  maiden  strewments,  and  the  bringing  home 

Of  bell  and  burial. 

Laertes.  Must  there  no  more  be  done? 

1  Priest.  No  more  be  done; 

We  should  profane  the  service  of  the  dead 

To  sing  a  requiem  and  such  rest  to  her 

As  to  peace-parted  souls. 

Laertes.  Lay  her  i'  the  earth; — 

[153] 


Act  V  Hamlet,  PRrNrcE  of  Denmark  Seem  I 

And  from  her  fair  and  unpolluted  flesh 

May  violets  spring! — I  tell  thee,  churlish  priest, 

A  ministering  angel  shall  my  sister  be, 

When  thou  liest  howling. 

Hamlet  What,  the  fair  Ophelia! 

Queen.  Sweets  to  the  sweet;  farewell!  [Scattering  flowers. 

I  hop'd  thou  shouldst  have  been  my  Hamlet's  wife; 

I  thought  thy  bride-bed  to  have  deck'd,  sweet  maid. 

And  not  t'  have  strew'd  thy  grave. 

Laertes.  O,  treble  woe 

Fall  ten  times  treble  on  that  cursed  head 

Whose  wicked  deed  thy  most  ingenious  sense 

Deprived  thee  of! — Hold  off  the  earth  awhile. 

Till  I  have  caught  her  once  more  in  mine  arms, 

[Leaps  into  the  grave. 
!N'ow  pile  your  dust  upon  the  quick  and  dead. 
Till  of  this  flat  a  mountain  you  have  made 
To  o'ertop  old  Pelion  or  the  skyish  head 
Of  blue  Olympus. 

Hamlet.  [Advancing]  What  is  he  whose  grief 
Bears  such  an  emphasis?  whose  phrase  of  sorrow 
Conjures  the  wandering  stars,  and  makes  them  stand 
Like  wonder- wounded  hearers?  This  is  I, 
Hamlet  the  Dane !  [Leaps  into  the  grave. 

Laertes.  The  devil  take  thy  soul! 

[Grappling  with  him. 
Hamlet.  Thou  pray'st  not  well. 
I  prithee,  take  thy  fingers  from  my  throat; 

[154] 


Act  V  Hamlet,  Prin^ce  op  Dbnmabk  Scene  I 

For,  though  I  am  not  splenitive  and  rash, 

Yet  have  I  something  in  me  dangerous, 

Which  let  thy  wisdom  fear.  Hold  off  thy  handl 

King.  Pluck  them  asunder. 

Queen.  Hamlet,  Hamlet! 

All.  Gentlemen, — 

Horatio.  Good  my  lord,  be  quiet. 

[The  Attendants  part  them,  and  they  come  out  of  the  grave. 

Hamlet.  Why,  I  will  fight  with  him  upon  this  theme 

Until  my  eyelids  will  no  longer  wag. 

Queen.  O  my  son,  what  theme? 

Hamlet.  I  lov'd  Ophelia;  forty  thousand  brothers 

Could  not,  with  all  their  quantity  of  love. 

Make  up  my  sum. — What  wilt  thou  do  for  her? 

King.  O,  he  is  mad,  Laertes. 

Queen.  For  love  of  God,  forbear  him. 

Hamlet.  'Swounds,  show  me  what  thou  'It  do: 

Woo't  weep?  woo't  fight?  woo't  fast?  woo't  tear  thyself? 

Woo't  drink  up  eisel?  eat  a  crocodile? 

I  '11  do  't.  Dost  thou  come  here  to  whine? 

To  outface  me  with  leaping  in  her  grave? 

Be  buried  quick  with  her,  and  so  will  I; 

And,  if  thou  prate  of  mountains,  let  them  throw 

Millions  of  acres  on  us,  till  our  ground. 

Singeing  his  pate  against  the  burning  zone. 

Make  Ossa  like  a  wart  1  Nay,  an  thou  'It  mouth, 

I  '11  rant  as  well  as  thou. 

Queen.  This  is  mere  madness: 

[155] 


Act  Y  Hamlet,  Prestce  of  Denmabk  Scene  II 

And  thus  awhile  the  fit  will  work  on  him; 

Anon,  as  patient  as  the  female  dove. 

When  that  her  golden  couplets  are  disclos'd, 

His  silence  will  sit  drooping. 

Hamlet.  Hear  you,  sir; 

What  is  the  reason  that  you  use  me  thus? 

I  loy'd  you  ever. — But  it  is  no  matter;  »iii|p 

Let  Hercules  himself  do  what  he  may, 

The  cat  will  mew,  and  dog  will  have  his  day.      [Exit 

King.  I  pray  you,  good  Horatio,  wait  upon  him. — 

[Exit  Horatio. 
[To  Laertes]  Strengthen  your  patience  in  our  last  night's 

speech; 
We  '11  put  the  matter  to  the  present  push. — 
Good  Gertrude,  set  some  watch  over  your  son. 
This  grave  shall  have  a  living  monument: 
An  hour  of  quiet  shortly  shall  we  see; 
Till  then,  in  patience  our  proceeding  be.  [Exeunt. 

SCEN^E  II.  A  Hall  in  the  Castle. 

Enter  Hamlet  and  Hobatio. 

Hamlet.  So  much  for  this,  sir;  now  let  me  see  the  other: 

You  do  remember  all  the  circumstance? 

Horatio.  Remember  it,  my  lord! 

Hamlet.  Sir,  in  my  heart  there  was  a  kind  of  fighting. 

That  would  not  let  me  sleep;  methought  I  lay 

Worse  than  the  mutines  in  the  bilboes.  Eashly, — 

[156] 


Act  V  Hamlet,  Peince  of  Denmark  Scene  II 

And  prais'd  be  rashness  for  it,  let  us  know, 

Our  indiscretion  sometimes  serves  us  well, 

When  our  deep  plots  do  fail;  and  that  should  teach  us 

There  's  a  divinity  that  shapes  our  ends, 

Eough-hew  them  how  we  will, — 

Horatio.  That  is  most  certain. 

Hamlet.  Up  from  my  cabin. 

My  sea-gown  scarf  d  about  me,  in  the  dark 

Grop'd  I  to  find  out  them;  had  my  desire, 

Finger'd  their  packet,  and  in  fine  withdrew 

To  mine  own  room  again;  making  so  bold. 

My  fears  forgetting  manners,  to  unseal 

Their  grand  commission;  where  I  found,  Horatio, — 

O  royal  knavery! — an  exact  command. 

Larded  with  many  several  sorts  of  reasons 

Importing  Denmark's  health  and  England's  too, 

With,  ho!  such  bugs  and  goblins  in  my  life. 

That,  on  the  supervise,  no  leisure  bated, 

No,  not  to  stay  the  grinding  of  the  axe. 

My  head  should  be  struck  off. 

Horatio.  Is  't  possible? 

Hamlet.  Here  's  the  commission ;  read  it  at  more  leisure. 

But  wilt  thou  hear  me  how  I  did  proceed? 

Horatio.  I  beseech  you. 

Hamlet.  Being  thus  be-netted  round  with  villanies — 

Ere  I  could  make  a  prologue  to  my  brains. 

They  had  begun  the  play — I  sat  me  down, 

Devis'd  a  new  commission,  wrote  it  fair; 

[157] 


Act  V  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Scene  II 

I  once  did  hold  it,  as  our  statists  do, 
A  baseness  to  write  fair,  and  laboured  much 
How  to  forget  that  learning,  but,  sir,  now 
It  did  me  yeoman's  service.  Wilt  thou  know 
The  effect  of  what  I  wrote? 
Horatio.  Ay,  good  my  lord. 

Samlet.  An  earnest  conjuration  from  the  king,  v 

As  England  was  his  faithful  tributary. 
As  love  between  them  like  the  palm  might  flourish. 
As  peace  should  still  her  wheaten  garland  wear 
And  stand  a  comma  'tween  their  amities. 
And  many  such-like  as's  of  great  charge. 
That,  on  the  view  and  knowing  of  these  contents, 
Without  debatement  further,  more  or  less, 
He  should  the  bearers  put  to  sudden  death, 
Not  shriving-time  allow'd. 

Horatio.  How  was  this  seal'd? 

Hamlet.  Why,  even  in  that  was  heaven  ordinant. 
I  had  my  father's  signet  in  my  purse, 
Which  was  the  model  of  that  Danish  seal; 
Folded  the  writ  up  in  form  of  the  other, 
Subscrib'd  it,  gave  't  the  impression,  plac'd  it  safely, 
The  changeling  never  known.  l^Tow,  the  next  day 
Was  our  sea-fight;  and  what  to  this  was  sequent 
Thou  know'st  already. 

Horatio.  So  Gruildenstern  and  Rosencrantz  go  to  't. 
Hamlet.  Why,  man,  they  did  make  love  to  this  employ- 
ment: .^.^.«  i 

[158] 


Act  V  Hamlet,  Pbinoe  of  Denmark  Scene  II 

They  are  not  near  my  conscience;  their  defeat 

Does  by  their  own  insinuation  grow. 

'T  is  dangerous  when  the  baser  nature  comes 

Between  the  pass  and  fell  incensed  points 

Of  mighty  opposites. 

Horatio.  Why,  what  a  king  is  this! 

Hamlet.  Does  it  not,  thinks 't  thee,  stand  me  now  upon — 

He  that  hath  kill'd  my  king  and  whor'd  my  mother, 

Popped  in  between  the  election  and  my  hopes, 

Thrown  out  his  angle  for  my  proper  life, 

And  with  such  cozenage — is  't  not  perfect  conscience. 

To  quit  him  with  this  arm?  and  is  't  not  to  be  damn'd. 

To  let  this  canker  of  our  nature  come 

In  further  evil? 

Horatio.  It  must  be  shortly  known  to  him  from  England 

What  is  the  issue  of  the  business  there. 

Hamlet.  It  will  be  short:  the  interim  is  mine; 

And  a  man's  life  's  no  more  than  to  say  *One.' 

But  I  am  very  sorry,  good  Horatio, 

That  to  Laertes  I  forgot  myself; 

For,  by  the  image  of  my  cause,  I  see 

The  portraiture  of  his.  I  '11  court  his  favours; 

But,  sure,  the  bravery  of  his  grief  did  put  me 

Into  a  towering  passion. 

Horatio.  Peace!  who  comes  here? 

Enter  Oseio. 
Osric.  Tour  lordship  is  right  welcome  back  to  Denmark. 

[159] 


Act  V  Hamlet,  Princb  op  Denmabk  Scene  II 

Hamlet  I  humbly  thank  you,  sir. — [Aside  to  Horatio] 
Dost  know  this  water-fly? 
Horatio.  [Aside  to  Hamlet]  Ko,  my  good  lord. 
Hamlet  [Aside  to  Horatio]  Thy  state  is  the  more  gra- 
cious; for 't  is  a  vice  to  know  him.  He  hath  much  land, 
and  fertile;  let  a  beast  be  lord  of  beasts,  and  his  crib 
shall  stand  at  the  king's  mess.  'T  is  a  chough,  but,  as 
I  say,  spacious  in  the  possession  of  dirt. 
Osric.  Sweet  lord,  if  your  lordship  were  at  leisure,  I 
should  impart  a  thing  to  you  from  his  majesty. 
Hamlet  I  will  receive  it,  sir,  with  all  diligence  of 
spirit.  Put  your  bonnet  to  his  right  use;  't  is  for  the 
head. 

Osric.  I  thank  your  lordship,  it  is  very  hot. 
Hamlet  STo,  believe  me,  't  is  very  cold;  the  wind  is 
northerly. 

Osric.  It  is  indifferent  cold,  my  lord,  indeed. 
Hamlet.  But  yet  methinks  it  is  very  sultry  and  hot  for 
my  complexion. 

Osric.  Exceedingly,  my  lord;  it  is  very  sultry, — as  't 
were, — I  cannot  tell  how.  But,  my  lord,  his  majesty 
bade  me  signify  to  you  that  he  has  laid  a  great  wager 
on  your  head.  Sir,  this  is  the  matter, — 
Hamlet  I  beseech  you,  remember — 

[Hamlet  moves  him  to  put  on  his  hat 
Osric.  Ifay,  in  good  faith;  for  mine  ease,  in  good  faith. 
Sir,  here  is  newly  come  to  court  Laertes ;  believe  me,  an 
absolute  gentleman,  full  of  most  excellent  differences, 

[160] 


Act  V  Hamlet,  Prestce  of  Denmabk  Scene  II 

of  very  soft  society  and  great  showing:  indeed,  to  speak 
feelingly  of  him,  he  is  the  card  or  calendar  of  gentry, 
for  you  shall  find  in  him  the  continent  of  what  part  a 
gentleman  would  see. 

Hamlet.  Sir,  his  definement  suffers  no  perdition  in  you; 
though,  I  know,  to  divide  him  inventorially  would 
dizzy  the  arithmetic  of  memory,  and  yet  but  yaw  nei- 
ther, in  respect  of  his  quick  sail.  But,  in  the  verity  of 
extolment,  I  take  him  to  be  a  soul  of  great  article,  and 
his  infusion  of  such  dearth  and  rareness,  as,  to  make 
true  diction  of  him,  his  semblable  is  his  mirror,  and 
who  else  would  trace  him,  his  umbrage,  nothing  more. 
Osric.  Tour  lordship  speaks  most  infallibly  of  him. 
Hamlet  The  concernancy,  sir?  why  do  we  wrap  the 
gentleman  in  our  more  rawer  breath? 
Osric.  Sir? 

Horatio.  Is  't  not  possible  to  understand  in  another 
tongue?  You  will  do  't,  sir,  really. 
Hamlet.  What  imports  the  nomination  of  this  gentle- 
man? 

Osric.  Of  Laertes? 

Horatio.  [Aside  to  Hamlet]  His  purse  is  empty  already; 
all 's  golden  words  are  spent. 
Hamlet.  Of  him,  sir. 
Osric.  I  know  you  are  not  ignorant — 
Hamlet.  I  would  you  did,  sir;  yet,  in  faith,  if  you  did, 
it  would  not  much  approve  me.  Well,  sir? 
Osric.  You  are  not  ignorant  of  what  excellence  Laertes 

is [161] 


Act  V  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark  Scene  II 

Samlet.  I  dare  not  confess  that,  lest  I  should  compare 
with  him  in  excellence;  but,  to  know  a  man  well,  were 
to  know  himself. 

Osric.  I  mean,  sir,  for  his  weapon;  but  in  the  imputa- 
tion laid  on  him  by  them,  in  his  meed  he  's  unfellowed. 
Samlet.  What 's  his  weapon? 
Osric.  Kapier  and  dagger. 
Samlet.  That's  two  of  his  weapons;  but,  well. 
Osric.  The  king,  sir,  hath  wagered  with  him  six  Bar- 
bary  horses;  against  the  which  he  has  imponed,  as  I 
take  it,  six  French  rapiers  and  poniards,  with  their  as- 
signs, as  girdle,  hangers,  and  so.  Three  of  the  car- 
riages, in  faith,  are  very  dear  to  fancy,  very  responsive 
to  the  hilts,  most  delicate  carriages,  and  of  very  lib- 
eral conceit. 

Samlet.  What  call  you  the  carriages? 
Soratio.  [Aside  to  Samlet^  I  knew  you  must  be  edified 
by  the  margent  ere  you  had  done.  ' 

Osric.  The  carriages,  sir,  are  the  hangers. 
Samlet.  The  phrase  would  be  more  germane  to  the 
matter,  if  we  could  carry  cannon  by  our  sides;  I  would 
it  might  be  hangers  till  then.  But,  on:  six  Barbary 
horses  against  six  French  swords,  their  assigns,  and 
three  liberal-conceited  carriages ;  that 's  the  French  bet 
against  the  Danish.  Why  is  this  *  imponed,'  as  you 
call  it? 

Osric.  The  king,  sir,  hath  laid  that  in  a  dozen  passes 
between  yourself  and  him,  he  shall  not  exceed  you 

[162] 


Act  V  Hamlet,  Pbince  of  Denmabk  Seem  II 

three  hits:  he  hath  laid  on  twelve  for  nine;  and  it 
would  come  to  immediate  trial,  if  your  lordship  would 
vouchsafe  the  answer. 
Hamlet.  How  if  I  answer  no? 

Osric.  I  mean,  my  lord,  the  opposition  of  your  person 
in  trial. 

Hamlet.  Sir,  I  will  walk  here  in  the  hall:  if  it  please 
his  majesty,  't  is  the  breathing  time  of  day  with  me; 
let  the  foils  be  brought,  the  gentleman  willing,  and 
the  king  hold  his  purpose,  I  will  win  for  him  if  I  can; 
if  not,  I  will  gain  nothing  but  my  shame  and  the  odd 
hits. 

Osric.  Shall  I  re-deliver  you  e'en  so? 
Hamlet.  To  this  effect,  sir,  after  what  flourish  your  na- 
ture will. 

Osric.  I  commend  my  duty  to  your  lordship. 
Hamlet.  Tours,  yours. — [JExit  Osric]  He  does  well  to 
commend  it  himself;  there  are  no  tongues  else  for  's 
turn. 

Horatio.  This  lapwing  runs  away  with  the  shell  on  his 
head. 

Hamlet.  He  did  comply  with  his  dug,  before  he  sucked 
it.  Thus  has  he — and  many  more  of  the  same  bevy  that 
I  know  the  drossy  age  dotes  on — only  got  the  tune  of 
the  time  and  outward  habit  of  encounter;  a  kind  of 
yesty  collection,  which  carries  them  through  &  through 
the  most  fond  and  winnowed  opinions;  and  do  but 
blow  them  to  their  trial,  the  bubbles  are  out.  m^i* 

[163] 


Aet  V  Hamlet,  Prikce  of  Denmark  Scene  II 


Enter  a  Lord. 

Lord,  My  lord,  Ms  majesty  commended  him  to  you  by 
young  Osric,  who  brings  back  to  him,  that  you  attend 
him  in  the  hall;  he  sends  to  know  if  your  pleasure 
hold  to  play  with  Laertes,  or  that  you  will  take  longer 
time. 

Hamlet  I  am  constant  to  my  purposes;  they  follow 
the  king's  pleasure:  if  his  fitness  speaks,  mine  is  ready; 
now  or  whensoever,  provided  I  be  so  able  as  now. 
Lord.  The  king  and  queen  and  all  are  coming  down. 
Hamlet,  In  happy  time. 

Lord,  The  queen  desires  you  to  use  some  gentle  enter- 
tainment to  Laertes  before  you  fall  to  play. 
Hamlet,  She  well  instructs  me.  [Exit  Lord, 

Horatio,  You  will  lose  this  wager,  my  lord. 
Hamlet,  I  do  not  think  so:  since  he  went  into  France, 
I  have  been  in  continual  practice;  I  shall  win  at  the 
odds.  But  thou  wouldst  not  think  how  ill  all  's  here 
about  my  heart;  but  it  is  no  matter. 
Horatio,  Nay,  good  my  lord, — 

Hamlet,  It  is  but  foolery;  but  it  is  such  a  kind  of  gain- 
giving,  as  would  perhaps  trouble  a  woman. 
Horatio,  If  your  mind  dislike  any  thing,  obey  it.  I  will 
forestall  their  repair  hither,  and  say  you  are  not  fit. 
Hamlet.  Kot  a  whit;  we  defy  augury:  there  's  a  special 
providence  in  the  fall  of  a  sparrow.  If  it  be  now,  't  is 
not  to  come;  if  it  be  not  to  come,  it  will  be  now;  if  it 

[164] 


^ 


Act  V  Hamlet,  PRrNrcB  op  Denmark  Scene  II 

be  not  now,  yet  it  will  come :  the  readiness  is  all.  Since 
no  man  knows  aught  of  what  he  leaves,  what  is  't  to 
leave  betimes?  Let  be. 

Enter  EisTG,  Queen,  Laeetbs,  Lords,  Oseio,  and  At- 
tendants with  foils,  etc. 

King.  Come,  Hamlet,  come,  and  take  this  hand  from 

me.  \^The  King  puts  Laerteses  hand  into  Hamlefs. 

Hamlet  Give  me  your  pardon,  sir:  I  Ve  done  you  wrong; 

But  pardon  't,  as  you  are  a  gentleman. 

This  presence  knows. 

And  you  must  needs  have  heard,  how  I  am  punish'd 

With  sore  distraction.  What  I  have  done. 

That  might  your  nature,  honour,  and  exception 

Eoughly  awake,  I  here  proclaim  was  madness. 

Was  't  Hamlet  wronged  Laertes?  Never  Hamlet: 

If  Hamlet  from  himself  be  ta'en  away, 

And  when  he  's  not  himself  does  wrong  Laertes, 

Then  Hamlet  does  it  not;  Hamlet  denies  it. 

Who  does  it,  then?  His  madness:  if  't  be  so, 

Hamlet  is  of  the  faction  that  is  wrong'd; 

His  madness  is  poor  Hamlet's  enemy. 

Sir,  in  this  audience. 

Let  my  disclaiming  from  a  purpos'd  evil 

Free  me  so  far  in  your  most  generous  thoughts, 

That  I  have  shot  mine  arrow  o'er  the  house, 

And  hurt  my  brother. 

Laertes.  I  am  satisfied  in  nature,  t 

[165] 


Act  V  Hamlet,  Prince  op  Denmark  Scene  II 

Whose  motive,  in  this  case,  should  stir  me  most 

To  my  reyenge;  but  in  my  terms  of  honour 

I  stand  aloof,  and  will  no  reconcilement 

Till  by  some  elder  masters  of  known  honour 

I  have  a  voice  and  precedent  of  peace. 

To  keep  my  name  ungor'd.  But  till  that  time, 

I  do  receive  your  offered  love  like  love, 

And  will  not  wrong  it. 

Hamlet  I  embrace  it  freely, 

And  will  this  brother's  wager  frankly  play. — 

Give  us  the  foils. — Come  on. 

Laertes,  Come,  one  for  me. 

Hamlet.  I  'U  be  your  foil,  Laertes;  in  mine  ignorance 

Tour  skill  shall,  like  a  star  i'  the  darkest  night. 

Stick  fiery  off  indeed. 

Laertes,  Ton  mock  me,  sir. 

Hamlet,  Ko,  by  this  hand. 

King,  Give  them  the  foils,  young  Osric.  Cousin  Hamlet, 

You  know  the  wager? 

Hamlet.  Very  well,  my  lord; 

Your  grace  hath  laid  the  odds  o'  the  weaker  side. 

King,  I  do  not  fear  it;  I  have  seen  you  both: 

But  since  he  is  better'd,  we  have  therefore  odds. 

Laertes,  This  is  too  heavy,  let  me  see  another. 

Hamlet,  This  likes  me  well. — These  foils  have  all  a 

length? 
Osric.  Ay,  my  good  lord.  [They  prepare  to  play. 

King.  Set  me  the  stoups  of  wine  upon  that  table. — 

[166] 


Act  V  Hamlet,  Peince  of  Denmark  Scene  II 

If  Hamlet  give  the  first  or  second  hit, 

Or  quit  in  answer  of  the  third  exchange, 

Let  all  the  battlements  their  ordnance  fire: 

The  king  shall  drink  to  Hamlet's  better  breath; 

And  in  the  cup  an  union  shall  he  throw, 

Richer  than  that  which  four  successive  kings 

In  Denmark's  crown  have  worn.  Give  me  the  cups; 

And  let  the  kettle  to  the  trumpet  speak, 

The  trumpet  to  the  cannoneer  without, 

The  cannons  to  the  heavens,  the  heavens  to  earth, 

*lfow  the  king  drinks  to  Hamlet!' — Come,  begin; — 

And  you,  the  judges,  bear  a  wary  eye. 

Hamlet  Come  on,  sir. 

Laertes.  Come,  my  lord.  [They  play. 

Samlet.  One. 

Laertes.  Ko. 

Samlet.  Judgment. 

Osric.  A  hit,  a  very  palpable  hit. 

Laertes.  Well;  again. 

King.  Stay;  give  me  drink. — Hamlet,  this  pearl  is  thine; 

Here  's  to  thy  health. — 

[Trumpets  sounds  and  cannon  shot  off  within. 
Give  him  the  cup. 
Samlet  I  '11  play  this  bout  first;  set  it  by  awhile. — 
Come.  [They  play.]  Another  hit;  what  say  you  I 
Laertes.  A  touch,  a  touch,  I  do  confess. 
King.  Our  son  shall  win. 
Queen.  He 's  fat  and  scant  of  breath. — 

[167] 


Aet  V  Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denhaek  Scene  I 

Here,  Hamlet,  take  my  napkin,  rub  thy  brows; 
The  queen  carouses  to  thy  fortune,  Hamlet. 
Hamlet,  Good  madam, — 

King.  Gertrude,  do  not  drink. 

Queen.  I  will,  my  lord;  I  pray  you,  pardon  me. 
King.  [Aside']  It  is  the  poison'd  cup;  it  is  too  late. 
Hamlet.  I  dare  not  drink  yet,  madam;  by  and  by. 
Queen.  Come,  let  me  wipe  thy  face. 
Laertes.  My  lord,  1 11  hit  him  now. 
King.  I  do  not  think  't. 

Laertes.  [Aside]  And  yet  't  is  almost  'gainst  my  con- 
science. 
Hamlet.  Come,  for  the  third,  Laertes.  Tou  but  dally; 
I  pray  you,  pass  with  your  best  violence; 
I  am  afeard  you  make  a  wanton  of  me. 
Laertes.  Say  you  so?  come  on.  [They  play. 

Osric.  Nothing,  neither  way. 
Laertes.  Have  at  you  now! 

[Laertes  wounds  Hamlet;  then,  in  scuffling,  they 
change  rapiers,  and  Hamlet  wounds  Laertes. 
King.  Part  them;  they  are  incens'd. 

Hamlet.  Nay,  come,  again.  [The  Queen  falls. 

Osric.  Look  to  the  queen  there,  ho! 

Horatio.  They  bleed  on  both  sides. — ^How  is  it,  my  lord? 
Osric.  How  is 't,  Laertes? 

Laertes.  Why,  as  a  woodcock  to  mine  own  springe,  Osric; 
I  am  justly  killed  with  mine  own  treachery. 
Hamlet.  How  does  the  queen? 

[168] 


Act  V  Hamlet,  Peinoe  of  Denmabk  Scene  II 

King.  She  swoons  to  see  them  bleed. 

Queen,  No,  no,  the  drink,  the  drink, — O  my  dear  Ham- 
let,— 

The  drink,  the  drink! — I  am  poisoned.  [Dies, 

Hamlet.  O  villany! — Ho!  let  the  door  be  locked! 

Treachery!  Seek  it  out! 

Laertes.  It  is  here,  Hamlet.  Hamlet,  thou  art  slain; 

ISTo  medicine  in  the  world  can  do  thee  good, 

In  thee  there  is  not  half  an  hour  of  life: 

The  treacherous  instrument  is  in  thy  hand, 

Unbated  and  envenomed.  The  foul  practice 

Hath  turned  itself  on  me;  lo,  here  I  lie, 

Never  to  rise  again.  Thy  mother 's  poison'd; 

I  can  no  more, — the  king — the  king 's  to  blame. 

Hamlet.  The  point  envenomed  too! — 

Then,  venom,  to  thy  work!  [Stabs  the  King. 

All.  Treason!  treason! 

King.  O,  yet  defend  me,  friends;  I  am  but  hurt. 

Hamlet.  Here,  thou  incestuous,  murtherous,  damned 
Dane, 

Drink  off  this  potion!  Is  thy  union  here? 

Follow  my  mother?  [King  dies. 

Laertes.  He  is  justly  serv'd; 

It  is  a  poison  tempered  by  himself. — 

Exchange  forgiveness  with  me,  noble  Hamlet; 

Mine  and  my  father's  death  come  not  upon  thee, 

Nor  thine  on  me!  [Dies. 

Hamlet.  Heaven  make  thee  free  of  it!  I  follow  thee. — 

[169] 


Act  V  Hamlet,  Pbinoe  of  Denmark  Scene  II 

I  am  dead,  Horatio. — ^Wretched  queen,  adieu! — 

You  that  look  pale  and  tremble  at  this  chance, 

That  are  but  mutes  or  audience  to  this  act, 

Had  I  but  time — as  this  fell  sergeant,  death. 

Is  strict  in  his  arrest — O,  I  could  tell  you — 

But  let  it  be. — Horatio,  I  am  dead; 

Thou  livest;  report  me  and  my  cause  aright 

To  the  unsatisfied. 

Horatio.  I^ever  believe  it; 

I  am  more  an  antique  Eoman  than  a  Dane: 

Here 's  yet  some  liquor  left. 

Hamlet.  As  thou  'rt  a  man. 

Give  me  the  cup :  let  go ;  by  heaven,  I  '11  have  't. — 

0  God! — Horatio,  what  a  wounded  name. 

Things  standing  thus  unknown,  shall  live  behind  me! 

If  thou  didst  ever  hold  me  in  thy  heart. 

Absent  thee  from  felicity  awhile. 

And  in  this  harsh  world  draw  thy  breath  in  pain. 

To  tell  my  story. —       [March  afar  off,  and  shot  within. 

What  warlike  noise  is  this? 
Osric.  Young  Fortinbras,  with  conquest  come  from 

Poland, 
To  the  ambassadors  of  England  gives 
This  warlike  volley. 
Hamlet.  O,  I  die,  Horatio; 

The  potent  poison  quite  o'er-crows  my  spirit. 

1  cannot  live  to  hear  the  news  from  England; 
But  I  do  prophesy  the  election  lights 

[170] 


Act  V  Hamlet,  Peince  op  Denmabk  Scene  II 

On  Portinbras:  he  has  my  dying  voice; 
So  tell  him,  with  the  occurrents,  more  and  less, 
Which  have  solicited — ^the  rest  is  silence.  [Dies. 

Horatio.  Now  cracks  a  noble  heart. — Good  night,  sweet 

prince. 
And  flights  of  angels  sing  thee  to  thy  rest! 
Why  does  the  drum  come  hither?  [March  within. 

Enter  Foetlnibeas,  the  English  Ambassadors,  c6  others. 

Fortinbras.  Where  is  this  sight? 

Horatio.  What  is  it  ye  would  see? 

If  aught  of  woe  or  wonder,  cease  your  search. 

Fortinbras.  This  quarry  cries  on  havoc. — O  proud  death. 

What  feast  is  toward  in  thine  eternal  cell. 

That  thou  so  many  princes  at  a  shot 

So  bloodily  hast  struck? 

1  Ambassador.  The  sight  is  dismal; 

And  our  affairs  from  England  come  too  late: 

The  ears  are  senseless  that  should  give  us  hearing, 

To  tell  him  his  commandment  is  fulfill'd, 

That  Rosencrantz  and  GuUdenstern  are  dead. 

Where  should  we  have  our  thanks? 

Horatio.  If ot  from  his  mouth, 

Had  it  the  ability  of  life  to  thank  you; 

He  never  gave  commandment  for  their  death. 

But  since,  so  jump  upon  this  bloody  question. 

You  from  the  Polack  wars,  and  you  from  England, 

Are  here  arrived,  give  order  that  these  bodies 

High  on  a  stage  be  placed  to  the  view; 

[171] 


Act  y  Hamlet,  Pbincb  of  Denmabk  Scene  II 

And  let  me  speak  to  the  yet  unknowing  world 

How  these  things  came  about:  so  shall  you  hear 

Of  carnal,  bloody,  and  unnatural  acts, 

Of  accidental  judgments,  casual  slaughters, 

Of  deaths  put  on  by  cunning  and  forc'd  cause, 

And,  in  this  upshot,  purposes  mistook 

Fall'n  on  the  inventors'  heads.  All  this  can  I 

Truly  deliver. 

Fortinhras.       Let  us  haste  to  hear  it, 

And  call  the  noblest  to  the  audience. 

For  me,  with  sorrow  I  embrace  my  fortune; 

I  have  some  rights  of  memory  in  this  kingdom, 

Which  now  to  claim  my  vantage  doth  invite  me. 

Horatio.  Of  that  I  shall  have  also  cause  to  speak. 

And  from  his  mouth  whose  voice  will  draw  on  more; 

But  let  this  same  be  presently  performed, 

Even  while  men's  minds  are  wild,  lest  more  mischance. 

On  plots  and  errors,  happen. 

Fortinhras.  Let  four  captains 

Bear  Hamlet,  like  a  soldier,  to  the  stage; 

For  he  was  likely,  had  he  been  put  on. 

To  have  prov'd  most  royally:  and,  for  his  passage. 

The  soldiers'  music  and  the  rites  of  war 

Speak  loudly  for  him. — 

Take  up  the  bodies.^Such  a  sight  as  this 

Becomes  the  field,  but  here  shows  much  amiss. — 

Go,  bid  the  soldiers  shoot. 

[A  dead  march.  Exeunt,  hearing  off  the  dead  hodies; 
after  which  a  peal  of  ordnance  is  shot  off. 

[172] 


so  HERE  THEN  ENDETH  THE  PLAY 
OF  HAMLET  AS  PRINTED  BY  THE 
EOTCBOFTEBS:  BORDERS  &  HEAD- 
BANDS BY  SAMUEL  WABNEB,  PRESS- 
WORK  BY  OTTO  EBANZ,  AND  THE 
WHOLE  PLANNED  AND  SEEN  THRO 
THE  PRESSES  BY  ANDBEW ANDBEW8 


